Many people have heard of a dance called the “Cupid Shuffle,” but have they heard of the newest shuffle soon to be unveiled in Picayune?
This December, the Snowman Shuffle will be blowing into Jack Read Park, marking its first appearance.
The Junior Auxiliary of Picayune is hosting the group’s first 5K Walk/Run and Fun Run.
The group was founded in Picayune in 1967, director of the Snowman Shuffle Laura Farmer said. The national group was founded in 1941 to help needy children.
“We create community projects for the children in Pearl River County and tend to their physical, social and emotional needs,” Farmer said.
Last year the group won the best new project award at the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries convention.
The project is entitled Inspiration Notes for Kids or INK. Auxiliary members, through a partnership with local schools, are matched with a female child to correspond with once a month through letters, Farmer said. At the end of the school year, the ladies host a tea for the girls.
The group’s provisional class also won the best provisional award for their foster kids Christmas party project.
Farmer said the junior auxiliary partners with the Department of Human Resources to determine foster family needs.
“We help about 150 children a year,” Farmer said. “Our group motto is, ‘Care today, character tomorrow,’’’
The group is a non-profit and relies on donations and fundraisers.
The Snowman Shuffle is the largest fundraiser the group has undertaken in the past few years, Farmer said. Proceeds from the shuffle will be used to host the foster kids Christmas party this year.
“Everybody is a winner with this race,” Farmer said. “Every dime raised will be put back into the children of Pearl River County.”
The Snowman Shuffle will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6.
The 5K will begin at 8 a.m. and the fun run will start at 9 a.m.
Early bird registration ends Friday, Nov. 21. The cost for 5K is $25 and fun run is $10.
People who register after Nov. 21 but before Friday Nov. 28 will pay a $30 5K registration fee and $15 for fun run.
Late registration begins after November 28, at which time the cost for the 5K will be $35 and $20 for fun run.
The final day for registration is Friday, Dec. 5.
Each participant will receive a packet, which includes a T-shirt and swag bag filled with coupons from local merchants, Famer said. Packets many be picked up on Friday Dec. 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Nathan S. Farmer, P.A.’s office located at 120 Goodyear Blvd. Packets will be available for pick up on race day at Jack Read park from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on race day.
Registration may be completed online at www.active.com or printed and mailed to the Junior Auxiliary of Picayune at P.O. Box 27, Picayune, MS 39466.
There are 13 age divisions and the top male and female in each group will receive a medal and Road ID gift certificate.
If people are interested in joining the Junior Auxiliary of Picayune, contact a member through their Facebook page at Junior Auxiliary of Picayune or visit the national website at www.najanet.org.