I am a member of the Junior Auxiliary of Biloxi-Ocean Springs, a non-profit organization, whose mission is to improve the community by meeting the physical, medical, financial, and educational needs of the children, youth, and families in our service areas of east Harrison and west Jackson counties and surrounding areas of the Mississippi Gulf Coast through 12 service programs; one of which is called 'School Aid'.

Each of our members are assigned to a school within one of our area school districts to help provide clothing, school supplies, medical, dental, and financial assistance for children that are in need. This is all in partnership with the school counselors, nurses, and teachers. Once a student in need is identified by the school, the assigned member is called to fill the request as needed. We find that working directly with the schools opens up many needs that otherwise we would not know.

We recently received the following letter and attached image from a local school counselor after a child received the clothing and shoes our organization was able to provide due to funds raised. The member assigned to the particular school fulfilled the request and dropped off the items to the school within 48 hours. While we receive letters frequently from our school contacts, this particular messages warmed our hearts and brought tears to our eyes.
I have removed names for the protection of the individuals involved and placed initials in their place.

Dear L,
S was so excited with her new clothes and shoes!! I could not get the adorable sandals off her feet once she put them on, and she absolutely loved her tennis shoes too. They were so cute and perfect and she needed them so badly.

Sending you a picture of how badly she needed them. You can see the size she was wearing. I am not sure how she was walking. She had blisters on her toes and her toe nails were bent back and curled up because the only tennis shoes she had were so small.

Please thank L for me. She got me the clothes before we dismissed and I had time to get them to her and try them on her before she left for the day.

I just want you and all of JA to genuinely feel the difference you make for these children. I think you will see that in the second pic I have attached. Her smile says it all!!