During the Christmas season it is often becomes a gift to us to give to others.

Beechwood’s Annual Children’s Charity Benefit will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3 at Beechwood Restaurant and Lounge on Highway 80.

The benefit raises money for two local organizations, Jacobs Ladder Learning Center and Rainbow Farms Therapeutic Riding, which both provide for children with mental or physical special needs.

“It’s important to attend because these two organizations, they receive no federal money or funds,” organizer Ted Holman said. “Everything they receive is by donations and their board of directors, and they have a real meaningful reason for being in the community.”

Admission to the benefit is $10 and live music by various local musicians will begin at 6:30 p.m. Organizers note the event is non-smoking.

“We’ll have some kids in there, especially the kids we are doing the benefit for,” Holman said.

The live auction kicks off at 8 p.m. with numerous items including Yetti coolers, 4-wheelers, guns, tree stands, shooting houses, lawn movers and jewelry will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

“Basically what we do is go around to all our local vendors and providers, and people who we do business with, and ask them to donate items at cost,” organizer Will Hood said.

A total of 2,500 raffle tickets are being sold for $5 each for a chance to win $1,000. In years past, the winner has often times donated their prize money back to the organizations the benefit is supporting.

“We have been selling raffle tickets for weeks now and we will have some here to sell at the event,” Hood said. “We’ve actually had several people over the years donate their winnings back to the charity, which is really cool.”

Hood started the benefit and Holman has been helping to organize the event in recent years. Their goal each year is to raise more money than the year before.

“He said ‘if you would help me with this benefit I think we could do a lot of good,’” Holman said.

None of the money raised goes to fund any portion of the benefit, food or advertising. All of the proceeds go directly to the two organizations.

“One hundred percent of the money that comes in goes to the charities,” Holman said.

The donation checks will be presented to the kids and the organizations at a Christmas party Sunday hosted by Beechwood Restaurant with a meal and a visit by the Vicksburg Fire Department, which will bring Santa Claus himself.

“The fire department has been really good to us,” Holman said. “Every year they bring the fire truck out and pick up Santa and the kids just love it.”

Kids affiliated with the two organizations will get to take pictures and talk to Santa.

“The biggest reason that Will and I do it is because it does out heart good,” Holman said. “It’s our Christmas present.”

“It’s the highlight of December,” Hood said. “It makes my holiday, and they are appreciative of the help.”

Representatives from the charities are blown away by the donations they receive from the benefit.

“We couldn’t make it without this event,” executive director and instructor at Rainbow Farms Leigh Ann Nosser said. “It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year. It’s grown every year thanks to the help of all the volunteers and people that come to it.”

She said they use the money to fund scholarships and buy equipment. The support of the community means a lot to her. Rebecca Busby, teacher at Jacob’s Ladder, felt similar to Nosser with a great amount of appreciation for the benefit.

“Since we are a 501c3 we rely heavily on outside donations and contributions, which allows us to do things like purchase our new bus or have the plumbing fixed or buy desks for the children,” Busby said.

The organization’s next venture is to build a porch around their facility so the children can all be together outside and enjoy nice weather.

“We are extremely thankful for the support of the community,” Busby said.

For information or to purchase raffle tickets, call 601-636-3761 or 601-218-7947.