Ninth Edition: April 30, 2020
Welcome to SSN! A local society resource for good news across the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Please enjoy this month's special edition featuring our "Christmas in Spring" holiday photo albums that we hope will bring some joy to you, your friends and your families during our nation's Coronavirus health crisis. Stay safe and stay well. - Seaside Social News Staff
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Intimate stories spotlighting those people and places who help make the Mississippi Gulf Coast a special place to live and work.
Community Clicks
Prayer teams take praise, positivity to the frontlines
Story and photography by Amanda Compton-Ortiz
Healthcare workers Rebecca Guice, physician’s assistant, and Cherry Graves, nurse practitioner, of Memorial Primary Care in Biloxi happily accept an offering from Virginia Newton, a member of Unified Coast Prayer Movement, as part of the group’s park and pray efforts supporting patients and medical professionals battling COVID-19.
South Mississippi healthcare workers Rebecca Guice and Cherry Graves were brought to tears as they stood outside Memorial Primary Care in Biloxi on April 22.
Their emotions had been prompted by a caravan of citizens who stopped by the clinic to offer prayers and words of encouragement as they and their colleagues continue to brave the coronavirus on the frontlines..
“This is truly something I think we all need right now,” said Guice, a physician’s assistant.
Graves, a nurse practitioner, agreed, “It’s these acts of kindness that really help get us through our toughest days.”
The prayer group was one of four teams comprised of members of the Unified Coast Prayer Movement (UCPM) that spent the day delivering consolation to sick patients and medical staff battling COVID-19.
A total of 55 UCPM members participated in the park and pray event that included team stops at all seven of Memorial Hospital’s COVID-19 testing facilities: Memorial Primary Care, Biloxi; Memorial Stone County Medical Center, Wiggins; Memorial Magnolia Grove Walk-In Clinic, Gulfport; Memorial Long Beach Walk-In Clinic, Long Beach; Memorial Surgery Center, Ocean Springs; Memorial Drinkwater Internal Medicine Walk-In Clinic, Bay St. Louis; and Memorial Hancock Family Practice, Diamondhead.
Driving Gulf Coast Tourism During Health Emergency
Story and photography by Andy Kanengiser
Mississippi Gulf Coast leaders are staying focused on a mission. They’re a united front of Mississippians seeking to rev up the region’s tourism industry reeling from the COVID-19 crisis. From Coastal Mississippi to the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, along with local officials, they’ve retooled strategies to elevate tourism to pre-coronavirus levels.
“We are fully aware of the economic impact the travel and tourism industry has on our communities,’’ says Anna Roy of Coastal Mississippi. “We are truly all in this together, ready to heal and rebuild when the time is right,’’ adds Roy, the organization’s public media relations manager. “This unprecedented, global situation has really shown the flexibility, strength and importance of destination marketing organizations.’’
Due to the worldwide health emergency this Spring, 1-year-old Coastal Mississippi shifted its marketing strategy. Instead of promoting travel, their leaders share inspirational, informative content to keep people entertained from the safety of their homes. Their effort via blogs, virtual videos, and a “Quarantainment Guide’’ is designed to encourage folks to make the scenic South Mississippi region their future destination. The 16-member tourism bureau covers three Gulf Coast counties and 12 cities.
Their COVID-19 Partner Page is regularly updated. Staffers reach out to more than 1,000 recipients in Harrison, Jackson and Hancock counties as they showcase the Magnolia State’s beautiful 62-mile coastline.
While Coast casinos remain closed and many small businesses were shut in recent weeks, the COVID-19 crisis won’t last forever.
The health emergency closed doors for the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center. Supporters of all ages can’t wait for the children’s museum in Gulfport to reopen. During better times last August, Coastal Mississippi leaders and members of the children’s museum promoted Coast venues at the Neshoba County Fair near Philadelphia.
Fans of the 2020 Cruisin’ the Coast look forward to their car show returning this fall to spark the economy. The event along U.S. 90 gets bigger and better every year.
CMA rallies for faith and fundraising across the state
Story and photography by Susan Weller
Janice Warren, Alison Donahou, Linda Williams and Linda Whitty, members of Christian Motorcyclists Association, U.S.A., (CMA), participate in the Sixth Annual Governor’s Ride in September at the Town Green in Long Beach. Thousands attended the event that helped raise more than $60,000 in donations for the world outreach organization.
To follow someone is the message Christian Motorcyclists Association, U.S.A., (CMA) promotes with each rally they organize. That someone is Jesus Christ.
Over 250,000 members and more, all over the world, spread their message of love and inclusion. The world outreach is primarily to bikers, Christian as well as non- believers.
CMA founders’ hard work and dedication set the path to spread the message taken to the “secular bikers,” non-Christian motorcycling community, “who respect CMA because we te ll them the truth” according to Robert Donahou, Sr., State Coordinator and five-time past President and four-time past Vice President of CMA, U.S.A.
Herb Shreve began evangelizing the Christian faith in 1975 from his home in Hatfield, Arkansas, which began when Shreve wanted stay close to his son. They bought motorcycles and began going to rallies. Shreve realized that this group really needed The Son. Praying continuously for someone to appear to minister to this group, Shreve finally realized he himself was sent to spread the message. The message has spread to the world.
Wave of Wounded Warriors will ride to the Gulf Coast
Story by Susan Weller
By the Governor’s Proclamation, the third Saturday in September will forever be Wounded Warrior Day in the State of Mississippi. Former Governor Phil Bryant, after leading the “Governor’s Ride” for six years from Richland, Miss., has renamed the ride “The Patriot Run for Wounded Warriors of Mississippi.”
On September 19, 2020, a wave of motorcycles will travel from Richland and on to the Gulf Coast. The cyclists will ride toward Hattiesburg for lunch donated by Walmart, Flowood, Miss., and prepared by Legacy One of Louisiana. The ride culminates in a large gathering at Jones Park in Gulfport with bands, speakers and excitement.
In Gulfport, the host hotels, The Wingate by Wyndham and Courtyard by Marriott offer a pleasant night of Coast entertainment. It is a full day of brotherhood and support. Last year, the event raised over $60,000 for Wounded Warriors of Mississippi and attracted more than 730 riders.
The mission of Wounded Warriors of Mississippi is to help wounded veterans, post 9/11, in their battle to reconnect with society and fighting to return to the new normal of their lives. Wounded Warriors helps them mentally by organizing events where they can meet fellow warriors and share their daily struggles. Wounded Warriors are helped physically by assisting with daily tasks too difficult to complete. Help is extended financially when they are struggling to pay a utility bill, get medications or other daily needs.
According to founder Cheryl Bruce, “Help is provided spiritually because without God, this organization would not be what it is today and what it is going to grow to be.”
Wounded Warriors of Mississippi was founded to make sure that the Mississippi veterans, including Mrs. Bruce’s son, would not be overlooked in their need, by the nationwide organizations. Mississippi is not a big state with deep pockets, and it was important to Bruce that the funds raised here were used by the veterans here. Six veterans were the core of the group that has expanded to more than 60.
Donated funds are not lost to administration, “No one in the organization is paid,” Bruce said. FHL Bank of Dallas donates Haven Grants to give back to vets and all income through fundraising is administered by Bank Plus of Jackson, MS.