Tangi Lifestyles Feb/Mar 2024

Story by Betsy O’Leary

Junior Auxiliary (NAJA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1941 that encourages members to render charitable services which are beneficial to the general public with a particular emphasis on children.

Amiee Moser–Parham, chairman for the Junior Auxiliary of Tangipahoa’s (JAT) Sapphire Soirée, recently shared the group's new focus to optimize resources and services for Tangipahoa residents who are in need.

Exciting event planned for spring

Amiee was eager to share details about the Sapphire Soirée , the 48th Annual JAT “Man and Woman of the Year Award” ceremony. This year’s event will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5, at Jacmel Inn and introduces an inaugural expansion of the awards.

Instead of the Junior Auxiliary of Tangipahoa (JAT) simply honoring the top man and woman of the year, they expanded to add four additional categories titled “People of the Year” honoring outstanding local individuals in various municipalities. With the expansion comes a push to broaden the charitable appeal of this annual event and involve past members and award recipients.

Kicking Off a Successful Sapphire Soirée

As well as honoring four additional community members who have demonstrated their commitment to service, the Sapphire Soirée will honor all past recipients of the JAT’s Man and Woman of the Year, dating back to its inception in 1976. The group plans to shift its focus to make this the Junior Auxiliary’s premier annual charity event.

For this, they seek sponsorships and donations for both the silent and live auctions. All sponsorship dollars will be directly funneled into the 11 projects that the Junior Auxiliary promotes and facilitates during the year, including their ongoing collaboration with Lynhaven Retreat Center. Together, the groups seek to rescue, recover, and re-engage women and children back into society after experiencing homelessness, addiction, human trafficking, abuse, or mental illness.

Examples of the Junior Auxiliary in Action

Under the auspices of the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries (NAJA), the JAT gets direction about which community projects do well. As Tangipahoa Parish has specific needs, they rely upon the community to apprise them of specific needs from schools or hospitals. Once they know where the need is greatest, they respond by pulling together to help. They collect clothes, do yard work and other tasks for elderly or frail residents and show up wherever there’s a need for services.

What to Expect at this Year’s Sapphire Soirée

Attendees will enjoy delicious food and drinks, for which Jacmel is famous, along with live music to keep the party popping. The evening will include a live and silent auction, live painting, and a “Wall of Fame” showcasing the previous years’ award winners. A video slideshow highlighting the Auxiliary’s service work over the prior year will be displayed against a background of sponsor advertisements.

Attendees are encouraged to don their favorite blue-hued cocktail attire and come out in force to support this worthy event.