DDJs hosting 'desserts' fund-raiser

Franklin County’s Dixie Daisy Juniorettes organization is once again holding its highly popular “Dessert of the Month” raffle fund-raiser in which tasty treats made by a member of the community will be up for grabs.

Tickets are being sold now for $5 each or three for $10. The deadline to purchase those tickets is Friday, Jan. 20.

The first drawing — for a chocolate trifle made by Rhonda Terrell — will take place at 3 p.m., the same day.

Connie Johnston, who heads the local community service group, said the drawing will be live on Facebook. The winner will be announced and posted on the group’s social media page.

She noted the group has done this fund-raiser once before and was looking forward to doing it again.

“It was successful (last time),” Johnston said. “We were out nothing but time and we sold about 50 tickets. It is something different — and who wouldn’t want a dessert every month?”

The desserts being prepared for the remainder of the year include: One dozen cream puffs by Kim Cambre in February; a birthday sheet cake by Rachel Forman in March; a “Ken Cake” by Ken Gilbert in April; chocolate pecan brownies by Tammy Griffin in May; a 16-inch cookie cake by Morgan McKee in June; an “Ooey Gooey” pecan cake by Miranda Pernell in July; a Chantilly cake by Taste and See in August; one dozen cinnamon rolls by Janie’s Pastry in September; one dozen iced Halloween-themed cookies by Kim Smith in October; a pecan pie by Lisa Storey in November; and a holiday candy tray by Johnston in December.

To purchase tickets, reach out to any DDJ member or contact Johnston at 601-248-9510.

Fund-raising is easier for the group since the COVID-19 pandemic has moved to the background — plus, community members help ease the load by getting involved in different ways.

“Our Homochitto Heritage Club members and parents of the Juniorettes are a huge help with our fund-raisers, but we also have a great superintendent who allows me to send out our fund-raiser to the school district, due to our funds going back into the community,” she said.

“Businesses, friends and family members, as well as HHC members, are always huge supporters. We use (these funds) to help with the (community service) projects we do. We also do a lot for the school staff.”

The DDJ is an elite, invitation-only group of up to 20 Franklin County High School ninth through 12th grade students.

DDJ falls under the Franklin County’s Homochitto Heritage Club and, like that group, is part of the General Federated Women’s Club and the Mississippi Federated Women’s Club.