Salvation Army block party to benefit area families

Mona Miller used to sleep in her faded gray and red pick up. It was her home for two years. Debilitating seizures caused hard financial times to fall on Miller and she soon found herself with only that vehicle. A cot in the back of the truck was her bed. The cab was her kitchen. She was homeless.

“I know what it’s like to be cold and hungry,” she said, nodding to herself. “I know what it’s like to go to a Salvation Army and say ‘I’m hungry.'”

That’s why Miller, better known in the Branson community as Cousin Jessie, has organized the first “Salvation Army’s 76 Christmas Block Party,” a three-day event to benefit the local Salvation Army. The party will be at the Silver Fountain Inn and Old School House on Highway 76.

The block party will kick off Thursday, Nov. 18 at 9 a.m. and end at midnight, continuing through Saturday, Nov. 20. The opening ceremonies with the Civil Air Patrol, local Boy Scouts and Branson Mayor Lou Schaefer will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18. The event is free but donation buckets will be passed around the grounds.

Miller characterized the event as a “back porch pickin’ party.” Several Branson entertainers will stop by to lend their voices and instruments to the cause. Carollers and choirs will be on hand to ring in the Christmas season.

There will also be an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus, next to Billy Bob’s Dairy Land.

DVD greeting cards, giveaways and drawings will be held throughout the block party. Visitors that bring a clean coat, blanket or toy will be registered in a drawing for an all-expense-paid trip to Branson.

Monetary proceeds along with food, clothes, coats and other donations will go to the Branson Salvation Army.

“The food pantries became empty when disaster hit our neighbors,” Miller said referring to hurricanes that paralyzed most of Florida. “Branson has little food now. This is the reason for the season.”

Branson’s entertainment season typically runs from April to December. Many shows and attractions close in January through March, leaving thousands without work struggling to survive.