A Vicksburg Christmas tradition to support two local organizations is in preparations for another year of food, fun and fundraising.

The annual Beechwood Children’s Charity Night is scheduled for Thursday at the restaurant and lounge located at 4451 Clay St. Doors open at 6 p.m. with music starting at 6:30 p.m. and the auction beginning at 8 p.m. Admission is $10.

“We’d like to thank everybody for their support over the years, and we look forward to seeing ya’ll,” organizer Ted Holman said.

The fundraiser consists of live entertainment by Vicksburg musicians like John Howard Dennis and Kimble Slaton to name a few, plus an auction and a raffle. The event supports Jacob’s Ladder Learning Center, a school for students with special needs, and Rainbow Farms Therapeutic Riding, a place for therapy treatment through horseback riding.

“Rainbow Farms, they do therapeutic riding for the kids. They only operate on donations that they get. This is their biggest fundraiser of the year,” Holman said. “We just wanted to help make sure everybody was getting help, all of our kids.”

The auction will be overseen by Katzenmeyer’s with items such as a Malcolm Butler signed football, deer stands, sports memorabilia, guns, hunting supplies and more.

“We have really nice, big items,” Holman said.

The goal for this year’s benefit is to make more than $30,000.

“We had $27,000 last year, which isn’t bad for one night,” Holman said.

A $1,000 raffle will also be held Thursday night. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at either of the organizations, the restaurant or during the event. The winner will be drawn at the benefit and has 40 hours to claim their prize before another name is drawn.

One major rule will be observed at Thursday night’s benefit in order for the event to be inclusive.

“There is no smoking at this benefit at all. We want everybody to be there that can,” he said.

Holman said this is the seventh year he has worked with Beechwood owner Will Hood to put the benefit together.

“Everything we make goes to the kids. I pay for all the printing and Will pays for all the food,” Holman said. “Everything we get goes directly to these kids.”

He said the two organizations will use the money from the benefit for their projects throughout the year.

Once all the money is collected and counted, Holman and Hood will have a Christmas party for the students of Jacob’s Ladder at Beechwood Restaurant Sunday. At the party, the checks will be presented to the two organizations and Santa will make an appearance entering on a fire truck from the Vicksburg Fire Department.

“(My favorite part is) When we feed the kids and you see the smiles on their face when they sit on Santa’s lap and take pictures; Sunday is my favorite part when we give them that money,” Holman said.

For more information, call 601-636-3761 or 601-218-7947.