WHAT IS MY LEGACY?
I have always known that when I left this Earth, I wanted to have made a difference in someone’s life. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do that but I knew I would.
Over the past few years I have really been thinking hard on this passion. My career was not fulfilling this need. I thought motherhood would, and it has slightly but not in the way I needed. I was yearning to serve children who really needed help. In true Sarah fashion, I started looking for ways to make an impact on children in our local area. With some guidance from a dear friend, I found Junior Auxiliary of Biloxi-Ocean Springs (JABOS).
A LOCAL NON-PROFIT DOING GOOD WORK
JABOS is a non-profit volunteer service organization that serves the needs of children, youth, and families in the service area of Biloxi, D’Iberville, St. Martin, Woolmarket, Ocean Springs, and Vancleave. This group is a diverse group of women. Some who are moms, some expecting moms, and some hopeful to be moms. We have children in different age groups and we all have different careers. We even have different goals in life but we all have one common goal and that is to serve.
During the past year, our organization has served over 20,000 children and their families. As individuals and a chapter, we continually look for ways to improve the lives of children by developing and implementing programs to meet physical, medical, emotional and educational needs. This is accomplished through community service projects in the health, welfare, civic, educational and cultural fields and by working closely with schools and other organizations in our community that help us identify needs and meet them.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
I have only been a part of JABOS for 7 months but my heart already feels whole knowing that I am making a difference. Due to confidentiality, I do not always get the see and speak to the children but even though they don’t know me, I know I did something good.
HELP CHILDREN IN OR COMMUNITY
Every year, JABOS hosts a Gala For The Kids, a fundraising event to be able to continue our efforts in serving the children in our community. This year our theme is “Big Things Often Have Small Beginnings” and will be hosted on June 3, 2022 at IP Casino Resort Spa on Studio B. There will be live music, cash bar, food, split the pot, silent auction and much more! Tickets to the event, split the pot, and online silent auction can be purchased {HERE}. Donations can also be submitted through this website.
If you can’t give monetarily, there are other ways to give with your time and talents—or, even better, have your child participate. Does your child enjoy art projects? School-aged children can also participate by submitting artwork for the Children’s Contest that is open until April 15th.
THE NEXT 5 YEARS
Over the next 5 years, I will spend hundreds of hours serving our children and the community. When I finish my 5 years, I will continue on as a Life member and assist JABOS where needed.
I know that through this organization I will make an impact and I, too, will be impacted. May God give us the light to guide us, courage to support us and love to unite us now and forever more.
