Junior Auxiliary 68th Annual Charity Ball

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – As visitors roll into the Friendly City for the 2018 Pilgrimage volunteers are working around the clock to roll out the red carpet.

“It’s all hands on deck when it comes to this week,”said Columbus Junior Auxiliary Assistant Chair Alicia Truesdale.

Truesdale’s talking about the Spring Pilgrimage 68th Annual Charity Ball.

“We have entertainment this year we have the Columbus High School varsity singers coming to perform really great group. Obviously we want to support the local high schools and what their effort is and then we present the king and queen in our royalty court. Then we have a band that we enjoy so we get to kick back and enjoy seeing what has come together and all efforts of our charity,”said Truesdale.

An effort it is indeed. More than 800 visitors are expected to be at the evening of elegance, meaning the ladies of JA spend months getting ready.

“We have close to around 80 ladies who spend about six years in this organization and that’s on top of what they already do,”said Truesdale.

Truesdale says it takes many boots on the ground to get an event this size up and running. It’s also the JA’s one fundraiser of the years.

“We are so thankful for corporate sponsors. We’re so thankful for local business to continue to support us who not only buy an add but they come and buy a ticket as well to come to charity ball. We’re very thankful for them,”said Truesdale.

The Spring Pilgrimage as a whole is powered by the kindness of others. It brings people together and shows the true meaning of “the friendly city” says Nancy Carpenter with the Columbus Visitors Bureau.

“We do depend on volunteers, we depend on family members we’re all in this together. Whether it’s picking up some garbage or making sure the tables are set. The Northwood garden club did all the beautiful arrangements that are on the tables so we’re appreciative of everyone’s hard work,”said Carpenter.

Truesdale says the charity ball is party with a purpose that started way back in 1951.

“It’s what drives and funds all of our programs. Allowing us to go into the schools and to make a difference. We’re so passionate about our children of Lowndes County because this is our future,”said Truesdale.

As you can see the Spring Pilgrimage required a lending hand from everyone.