Two decades ago, a group of local musicians decided to hold a fundraising event that would help provide toys to children who may otherwise not have any gifts at Christmas. The event was so successful, this year will mark the 20th anniversary of Jammin’ For the Kids.

Barbara Thum, who is one of the volunteers that helps organize the event and the wife of Michael Thum, one of the musicians said these performers’ objective was to do something for kids that fall through the cracks.

“There are a lot of kids that get served by Toys For Tots and the Angel Tree, but there are always some that just get missed or looked over,” Thum said.

Not knowing how to find out who these children may be, Thum said the group sought the assistance of Sheriff Martin Pace, who recommended partnering with the Warren County Chaplin’s office and Beyond Walls Ministries.

Beyond Walls Ministries is an organization that provides services to inmates, Thum said, and unfortunately, when men and women are incarcerated, their children may go without gifts, so the group decided they wanted their fundraiser to focus on these kids. 

“These children are served first and foremost,” Thum said, but added there are other children who also benefit from the fundraiser.

“We try to serve as many needy children in Warren County and the Vicksburg area as we can,” she said.

This year is Jammin’ For The Kids fundraiser is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, at The Anthony Restaurant and Bar, 127 Country Club Drive. Admission to the event is either an unwrapped new toy or $5.

Thum said musicians who will be providing entertainment will include Mike & Marty with Hired Guns, John Howard Dennis & Friends, Joe & Wesley Prine, Kenny Boone, Dagnabbit, Ralph Miller and Sweet Malinda, with sound provided by Carlton Rush, Andy Tadlock and Kemper Ehrhardt.

In addition to the musical entertainment, the event will also include a raffle and an auction.

“There are some really nice raffle and auction items, this year,” Thum said, “which include a handmade cedar chest, a full size whiskey barrel and lots of arts and crafts that people have donated.”

Thum said most of the funds raised during the event come from the auction and raffle, which is imperative, since the children that they help range in age from toddlers to mid-teens

Since its inception, Jammin’ For The Kids has provided toys for thousands of children in the Vicksburg Warren County area, Thum said, serving anywhere from 200 to 300 children each year, “And we are hoping for the biggest and the best “Jammin’ For The Kids ever,” Thum said of the 20th anniversary.

For more information about Jammin’ For The Kids, call 601-629-2003.