WLOX-TV and WLOX.com - Building South Mississippi Together |South Mississippi Heroes
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It all started 20 years ago with an idea and a meeting of some community leaders. Gulfport's Mayor Ken Combs and its Police Chief George Payne met with Councilman Jimmie Jenkins, Reverend Harry Tart and Sheriff Joe Price. They wanted to figure out a way for every person in Harrison County to get hot food and a warm hug on Christmas morning. From that meeting in 1989 came "Harrison County's Feed The Needy."
Backpack Blessings is a woman's ministry that works to make sure all children have nutritious meals, seven days a week. It was created by Biloxians Donna Fleenor and Jeanelle Weems three years ago, and has touched hundreds of young lives since. For their work, the volunteers of Backpack Blessings are this week's South Mississippi Heroes.
10/27/09 - There is an ophthalmologist in Gulfport who an 81-year-old widow calls "her hero." An anonymous viewer wrote, "I have the sweetest eye doctor who I worried about not being able to pay... $300 may not be much to you, but to me it is. He gave me two things money can't buy; the gift of sight and peace of mind!" So we honor Dr. William Sams of Gulfport as a South Mississippi Hero.
Since 1998, the late Rosemary Hudgins served as an advocate, a crusader for not only those with Alzheimer's Disease, but for their caregivers who usually suffer the most.
A Gulfport High School teacher wrote to us about a woman who she says has made her who she is. Cyndi Gibson said, "Even when she was conquering cancer, she was there for everyone else. My hero is my aunt, who at 90 years of age, gives more than anyone I have ever known. She has molded my entire life with her good example. All who know her, love her dearly." So tonight Rebecca Powers recognizes Evelyn Wallis of Gulfport as a South Mississippi Hero.
As Kelli's Steps School of Dance celebrates 30 years, Kelli Dickens is now teaching second, even third generations. Many of her students and their parents say she is their South Mississippi Hero.
She is a living legend in the legal world she's been called a pioneer for private adoptions and a trail blazer for young professional women. Her family law practice spans 65 years and much of that has been works of charity. Rebecca powers honors Clare Hornsby of Biloxi as a South Mississippi Hero.
They are some of the hardest working retired men you'll find. Mag Holland is the director for Harrison County's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). She told us, "These seniors do amazing things for the elderly and disabled at no charge and they do it out of the kindness of their hearts." That's why we honor RSVP's "Handyman Brigade" as South Mississippi Heroes.
09/15/09 - He's a pillar of the community, and has been a role model for more than 50 years. The man we honor is retiring this week after almost 23 years of service on the Gulfport School District School Board. He is a pastor and tireless servant to his fellow man. That's what makes Dr. Nathan Walker of Gulfport a South Mississippi Hero.
Jean Moran worked as a school nurse, but it's what she did after school hours is what still amazes those who know her. Mary Jo Fairley wrote, "She brought children food to their homes, clothed them, even gave some shelter and advocates for abused children. I will never be able to repay her, but I do know that she definitely lives out 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" That's why we honor Jean Moran of Gulfport as a South Mississippi Hero.
A WLOX viewer wrote to us about the volunteers who run the St. Vincent DePaul Society at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Biloxi. "I can not begin to tell you how much they have changed my life, giving me hope and the money I needed to feed my children and keep clothes on their backs. I am so humbled and grateful." That's why we honor these selfless volunteers as South Mississippi Heroes.
John Fenton of Biloxi wrote to us saying, "Although she is 81 and handicapped, she does extensive volunteer work and is my counselor, best friend and hero who took in my elderly mother and me until my Mom's death." That's why we honor Anna Miller of Ocean Springs and the Pink Ladies Auxiliary at Ocean Springs Hospital as South Mississippi Heroes.
Amy Lloyd wrote to WLOX about her hero, who has offered so much help to the Lloyds' autistic child. "Our son's teacher at Reeves Elementary School has worked miracles for our family. In Oklahoma, they wouldn't even let him go to school. Thanks to her, he is a happy thriving boy with a bright future." That's why we honor Rhonda Cochran as a South Mississippi Hero.
A small church in Jackson County is doing something their pastor dreamed of for years. Members of "The Refuge" planted an acre and a half garden, and will give all the fruits of their labor away for free. They hope this act of charity will help feed the hungry and sow even more seeds of love throughout their community. That's why we recognize members of The Refuge in Gautier as South Mississippi Heroes.
There is an amazing organization that quietly does good deeds throughout the world and set up shop here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast called International Relief & Development
07/14/09 - Would you know what to do if someone you loved collapsed with heart failure? In a split second, a 17-year-old jumped into action to save his grandmother's life. His actions astounded the paramedics who showed up afterwards. That's what makes T.J. Henderson of Pass Christian a true South Mississippi Hero.
This week we introduce you to a 7-year-old boy who proves you are never too small to make a very big difference. As soon as he found out his best friend had cancer, he decided to do something to help. What he did next has even moved grown ups to tears. That's why we honor Drake Senseney of Woolmarket as a South Mississippi Hero.
This week we introduce you to a man who started youth sporting leagues and mentored hundreds of kids in his neighborhood to keep them off the streets. He also started the first volunteer fire department in North Gulfport and was a reserve police officer there as well. The father of 8 then adopted 4 children in need of a loving home.
A big part of the relief given to any community after a disaster comes from the American Red Cross. What you might not realize is that without hundreds of selfless, full-time volunteers, that organization which gives so much help wouldn't exist. That's why we honor the 300 local volunteers of the American Red Cross as South Mississippi Heroes.
06/16/09 - She's been called a visionary, an activist for children, and a pioneer. Doris Abadie of Gulfport said, "How lucky are we to have a world class children's museum? My grandchildren enjoy it so much and I think we should all thank the woman who created it." So we honor Carole Lynn Meadows, founder of the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, as a South Mississippi Hero.
After losing his wife to cancer and being seriously injured on the job, an elderly Wiggins man is once again trying to bounce back. Five weeks ago, we told you about "Pops" Rayburn who lost his home in Wiggins and all his worldly possessions in a fire. One WLOX viewer saw that story and came through in a way Pops never expected. That's why we call Richard Drummond of Woolmarket a South Mississippi Hero.
There's a quiet little place in Gulfport that gives hundreds of parents from the three coastal counties, something they so desperately need - a safe place for their exceptional children. Margaret Montemarano wrote to us about the staff of the Harrison County Child Development Center and teacher Trisha Reeves. Rebecca Powers tells us why Montemarano calls them her South Mississippi Heroes.
Animal lover Helene Hicks decided to do something about the over population problem in Jackson County. So she created the affordable, non-profit, Jackson County Spay and Neuter Program. Rebecca Powers tells us why Hicks is a South Mississippi Hero.
After surviving breast cancer, a Long Beach hair dresser found her life's purpose by helping other women who are now fighting for their lives. JoAn Niceley started by snipping a few pony tails to be turned into wigs for women who lost their hair during cancer treatment. Rebecca Powers honors JoAn Niceley, founder of "Pink Heart Funds," as a South Mississippi Hero.
You know the old saying, "A boy scout is always prepared." One local scout was prepared and brave enough to save a grown man from the strong currents of the Biloxi River. The young man's proud mom, Shelly Gibbs Roberts, wrote, "He heard the man calling for help, ran to the river, jumped in and pulled him to the bank and the amazing part - he didn't tell anyone what he had done." That's why we honor 17-year-old Tim Gibbs of Biloxi as a South Mississippi Hero.
A three-year-old boy almost drowned at a Gulfport apartment complex swimming pool a few weeks ago. A neighbor wrote to us, saying, "I have never seen anything like it! A 15-year-old girl in my apartment complex saved a baby from drowning. She did what none of us adults could do." That's why we recognize Amanda Wuest of Gulfport as a South Mississippi Hero.
Six-year-old Carter Wells of Biloxi is asking his friends at school to bring in their loose change to help his 7-year-old friend Lexi Moore of Woolmarket. Moore is battling non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. So far, Carter has raised $530 and hopes to raise $1,000 to help with her expensive medical treatments.
Six-year-old Carter Wells is asking everyone at school to fill lots of jars with loose change for his friend Lexi Moore who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Carter's teacher Leslie Hunt wrote to us about this little guy with a big heart. That's why we call Carter Wells a South Mississippi Hero.
Fred Walker of Long Beach wrote to us about the man he admired most. The letter said, "He was the youngest mayor ever elected in the state of Mississippi. And later as a State Farm agent, he worked tirelessly for his policy holders. He also donated his time and money to improve his community." So we honor the late Steve Saucier of Pass Christian as a South Mississippi Hero.
