Eighteenth Edition: January 31, 2021
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organizations operating in the nonprofit sector.
Intimate stories spotlighting those people and places who help make the Mississippi Gulf Coast a special place to live and work.
Community Clicks
January 2021
Seaside Social News, January 31, 2021
Nonprofit News
American Red Cross volunteers take job to heart
Story by Amanda Compton-Ortiz
Seaside Social News, January 31, 2021
When David and Ann Loveless of Petal, Miss., discovered they could do what they love most in life while also fulfilling their passion to help people, joining the American Red Cross was a natural decision.
The couple began volunteering for the nonprofit organization that exists to provide compassionate care to those in need when they retired nearly 20 years ago. And they are still helping today.
“We love it,” Ann said. “It gives us a place we can go where we truly feel like we’re making a difference in the world.”
Over the years, the Lovelesses have assisted the American Red Cross in various roles within its five service areas, which include disaster relief, lifesaving blood donations, training and certification, international, and military families.
They began their journey in 2004 with the organization’s Southeast Mississippi Chapter serving 28 counties including those along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. They were deployed that summer to assist certified emergency responders in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan that struck the Gulf States as a strong Category 3 storm.
Ann recalls the couple worked on the back of an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) helping certified drivers distribute food and other supplies to storm victims.
It was a job the couple would later lead in volunteer service to the organization after receiving specialized training to become certified ERV drivers themselves.
“It is an incredible experience; just knowing that you are helping someone and realizing that every job, big or small, is an important part of the process,” said Ann.
The Lovelesses are also certified ERV instructors for the American Red Cross. And they have performed numerous damage assessments during which volunteers are tasked with travelling to disaster-affected areas and surveying the level of damage to property as well as the amount and extent of support the organization can provide.
Today, David and Ann, both age 79, no longer participate in deployment missions with the American Red Cross. Instead, they donate their time to the organization’s volunteer recruitment teams, working from home in a virtual capacity to help recruit the next wave of American Red Cross volunteers by sharing their knowledge and expertise in the field.
The Lovelesses have completed a total of 40 volunteer deployment missions with the American Red Cross, helping provide disaster relief and assistance to victims claimed by disasters across the country including Hurricane Katrina, the California wildfires, and many more.
Their work with the American Red Cross has afforded them experiences and opportunities they never could have imagined.
Nonprofit News sponsored in partnership with:
Spotlights
Alexis Williams takes glamour to new heights
Story by Andy Kanengiser
Seaside Social News, January 31, 2021
Alexis L. Williams brings a passion for business, a love for the Mississippi Gulf Coast along with a strong faith as her rock.
Her success as CEO with Aloha Glamour, an innovative online company providing apparel for women, just tells part of the story. Alexis is a fashion trendsetter, role model for people of all ages, mentor and much more.
Year-round, the retired Air Force veteran designs bold, radiant and one-size fits all, Afrowaiian (African + Hawaiian) clothing for women. Or as Alexis puts it – her customers are “forward-thinking, fearless women who aren’t afraid to step outside the box to rock fierce, vibrant African-print fashions with pride.’’
The mom, woman of God and entrepreneur lives her life in bright, bold colors. She encourages her customers to do the same.
Her company was birthed, Alexis said, during a time of personal tragedy.
Stationed with the Air Force in Hawaii, she lost her child, Lauren Taylor, in November 2015.
“For many months, all I saw was gray and black and white,’’ Williams said. Finally seeing a glimmer of hope and color, Williams chose to honor her daughter by “bringing some color to peoples’ lives and helping them feel beautiful, no matter their size or circumstance.’’
The highly decorated Air Force sergeant found success during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. She certainly soared to new heights with her business, discovering a tremendous uptick during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alexis has been nominated as one of the 2020 Top 50 Black Owned Business Women in Mississippi. She’s been showered with numerous awards.
Born and raised in Gulfport (the Forest Heights community), the Harrison Central High graduate has a big heart for people on the Gulf Coast as well as families thousands of miles from USA shores. Her legions of admirers is surging for good reason.
“Alexis is a kind-hearted individual who genuinely cares about the well-being of those in need, whether they are along the Gulf Coast or in Accra, Ghana,’’ says Pamela Berry-Johnson, a Mississippi businesswoman and award-winning writer.
“She is also a natural leader who has a near pied piper ability to rally others in the Black business community along the Mississippi Gulf Coast,’’ Berry-Johnson says.
Citizens mourn loss of Tatonut Donut Shop owner
Story by Andy Kanengiser
Seaside Social News, January 31, 2021
David Mohler baked thousands of fresh doughnuts daily as the owner of a legendary business on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Passing away on January 12, 2021, following a battle with COVID-19, Mohler meant so much to his sea of customers at the Tatonut Donut Shop in downtown Ocean Springs. His many admirers mourn the loss of a dear friend with a big heart for his Gulf Coast community.
“His big heart came out of a family rooted and entrenched in the local community for decades,’’ says first cousin Keith Mohler, an Orange Beach, Alabama resident. It reflects the “teachings of his parents and his faith in God. He gave back out of the blessings he received.’’
Whether the Biloxi native was baking chocolate glazed donuts, King Cake donuts or brewing gourmet coffees, his sweet specialties at the bright yellow store were unsurpassed. “The home of the only real donut,’’ was his store’s motto. And happy customers making purchases year-round felt that billing was on target with their taste buds. The Mississippian was recognized for having “The Best Donut’’ in the Magnolia State by several organizations.
“I grew up eating donuts,’’ Keith Mohler says. While moving away to South Alabama to pursue the real estate business, he’s a regular visitor to Ocean Springs to see family and friends. And that meant stops at the donut shop along Government Street.
His cousin was definitely a hands-on owner. It wasn’t unusual for him to report to work shortly after midnight. “David made every donut in the shop.’’ Keith Mohler said. “He was the nicest guy and very hard-working.’’
What was the secret to his success? David made sure the cinnamon rolls and donuts were “always so fresh – they were still hot in the box,’’ Keith Mohler said. And breakfast crowds responded in a big way, especially during the morning hours. “There were lines out the door.’’
Magnolia Movement gains momentum across Mississippi
Story by Amanda Compton-Ortiz
Seaside Social News, January 31, 2021
From pushups to planks, cooking challenges and paint pours, residents along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and throughout the state are taking action to raise awareness about human trafficking.
They are joining the Magnolia Movement, a new campaign started by the Center for Violence Prevention (CVP) to encourage support of its long-term restoration efforts for human trafficking survivors.
And many are doing it, right now, from the comforts of their own homes. They are utilizing Facebook and other social media platforms to create and promote a uniquely crafted virtual fundraiser experience that includes fun games, tutorials and other activities that inspire them.
“The Magnolia Movement is for everyone to take part in and allows people to have the freedom to make it whatever they want it to be,” said CVP’s Nikki Fortunato of Gulfport, developer of the Magnolia Movement campaign. “It is all for one mission, and that’s to restore those who have survived human trafficking.”
The CVP officially launched the campaign in September 2020 at the culmination of its 30th anniversary and in preparation of the annual observation of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11, 2021.
The goal of the campaign is to encourage people in the Magnolia State to join in the statewide call to action.
“The Mississippi Gulf Coast is one of the most populated areas in the state,” Fortunato said. “That means there is so much opportunity to make a difference and join with community groups, organizations, and businesses to support the cause. Joining the Movement in any way for those in need, whether it’s big or small, is always important when it comes to bridging the gaps in the community for something as serious as human trafficking.”
Judge Trent Favre honored with Mississippi Bar Award
Story by Andy Kanengiser
Seaside Social News, January 31, 2021
Hancock County native Trent Favre is passionate about his family, the legal profession and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
A successful Hancock County Youth Court Judge, Favre is committed to serving people in the vibrant Coastal region he cherishes. For his many achievements, the Mississippi Bar recently selected the Kiln resident to receive its Judicial Excellence Award.
Rather than resting on any accolades, the 46-year-old just plunges ahead with his work in the courtroom.
“I love my job immensely. Being a county and youth court judge is unique because I am able to work with families and children involved with the child welfare system,’’ Favre told a “Seaside Social News’’ reporter. “Our goal is to restore families. Our theme is hope. I believe all parents should be given a fair chance to reunify with their children.’’
It’s quite a delicate balancing act. The judge seeks to ensure the judicial system is supportive of parents “while guarding the best interests of the children we serve. It is my greatest joy to invest in the lives of these families.’’
In 2020, Judge Trent Favre and the rest of the world has been tested by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of late November, the coronavirus claimed more than 250,000 American lives, with over 1.3 million deaths worldwide. To combat the deadly virus, mask wearing, social distancing, sanitizer stations and other health protocols are the norm. The development of a vaccine in the weeks and months ahead offers hope.
“We’ve introduced technology in the courtroom, conducting hearings via Zoom. We have seen an increase in participation by various stakeholders. Also, during the pandemic, we have seen a decrease in delinquency (juvenile crime),’’ Favre said. “We are still very concerned about the repercussions of the pandemic, so we are working harder than ever to ensure that families have the resources they need to succeed.”
Certainly, Judge Favre has worked hard since entering the legal profession. Born and raised in Hancock County, He’s the son of the late Sam Favre, a reputable Bay St. Louis lawyer, who passed away in 1991. His mom, Pat, is a Bay St. Louis resident. Trent and his wife, Shannon, an attorney, and their two children, Katie, 15, and Sam, 13, live in the historical Favre family home. The residence was built in 1859, back during the turbulent Civil War era.
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