JACKSON KICKS OFF DECORATION CAMPAIGN; COMMUNITY TARGETS $20,000

JACKSON -- The Jackson Chamber of Commerce is coordinating a community-wide effort to raise money for the purchase of new Christmas decorations for the city of Jackson.

The chamber kicked off the Christmas Decoration Fund Drive May 1 by asking all local merchants, civic and fraternal organizations to join with them to raise money for the decorations.

Jeff Moore, chairman of the Christmas Decorations Fund Drive Committee said the goal is to raise around $20,000.

"We've already received a $500 donation from the Jackson Jaycees," said Moore. "The chamber is sponsoring a raffle and selling tickets for $1. We'll give away three $500 savings bonds on the last day of Jackson Homecomers."

He said raffle tickets are on sale from Jackson merchants, or at the chamber office.

Moore said plans are also being discussed for an auction and raffle booth at the Jackson Jaycee July Fourth celebration.

Moore said the chamber decided to take on the Christmas decoration fund drive project because it is too large for any one organization to handle. "The chamber will coordinate the fund drive, but we are asking everyone in the community to help us raise the money for the new decorations," he said.

Moore said most of the city's Christmas decorations are nearly 20 years old. Many of them are in very poor condition.

"We heard some complaints last year there were not many Christmas decorations seen the past few years, so we decided to do something about it," he said. "Basically, we will be starting from scratch since nearly all of the older decorations are no longer usable."

He said the chamber hopes to be able to purchase the new decorations in time for the start of the holiday season in late November.