NATCHEZ — If you ask the ladies of the Miss-Lou Junior Auxiliary why they do what they do, odds are all of them would say it’s for the children.

What they do is try to give less fortunate children in the Miss-Lou a better life, member Meredith Faust said.

“We are far more blessed than some of the other people around us, so we want to help the kids in the community,” Faust said.

Every year JA hosts several fundraisers to collect various donations to benefit local children.

JA members were sorting and pricing Christmas decorations, clothes, books and other items for one of its annual garage sales Thursday when The Dart landed on the Duncan Park Canteen.

Other JA fundraisers include Pack the Bus, at which members collect school supplies, a shrimp boil and an angel tree at Concordia Bank & Trust in Natchez.

In addition to collection donations, JA is sometimes called on to help families get back on their feet after a tragedy.

Member Tina Cox said JA invited a family that recently lost everything in a fire to come pick out clothes at the garage sale.

Seeing how JA directly impacts the community is the most rewarding part of being a member, Cox said.

“You really get to see how it impacts kids in the area who don’t have as much as other kids do,” Cox said.

Faust said her three children are blessed, and that is exactly why she decided to join JA.

“My children are beyond blessed, so I wanted to help other children who are not as blessed,” she said.

Faust brings her children along to JA events so they can see how the organization helps children who do not have as much they do.

Joining the Junior Auxiliary is a five-year commitment with $75 annual dues.

JA will also be hosting a Premier jewelry party from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6. For more information or to join JA, contact Faust at 601-446-3235.