Page 12 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2022

COAST NOTE
A JOLLY
story by Cherie Ward
CIRCUS
photo by Leo Ridge
Step right up, step right up, come one, come all and experience a magical spring weekend of whimsy and games at the annual Jolly McCarty Memorial gala and golf tournament.
This year the do-good event celebrates 20 years of success with its annual gala on May 13 and golf tournament on May 14. Both events feature a throwback theme to the 19th century when traveling circuses, burlesque shows, and glitter were all the rage.
“And we’ve already gotten started,” said Todd Trenchard, Executive Director of the Bacot McCarty Foundation.
Trenchard and his merrymaking band of “circus stars” previously doled out more than $75,000 to numerous coastal nonprofits including the Make-A-Wish foundation, Center Stage, the Boys and Girls Club of Jackson County, and Lynn Meadows Discovery Center at a “Jolly crawfish kickoff” last month. “You just build a stronger community when you
The Greatest Show on the Gulf Coast
put on events like these,” Trenchard said, referring to everything “Jolly” related.
Marshall Smith of Pascagoula is
this year’s gala and golf tournament chairman. Trenchard said Smith is a perfect fit for the role because he and his wife are well known throughout the Gulf Coast for their giving demeanor. “They have given so much money and so much time and so many resources to so many Gulf Coast charities,” Trenchard said.
Smith, also known as the “Jolly Ringmaster,” extended a community invitation for the events. “We need you,” Smith said. “Let’s make this Jolly the greatest Jolly ever.”
Butch Oustalet has donated $20,000 to the Home of Grace as part of the circus- themed jollification.
“Mr. Butch and the Bacot McCarthy Foundation have been true miracle- makers for the Home of Grace, said
Josh Barton, executive director of the nationally recognized, Christian-based
recovery centers in Vancleave and Gautier. Trenchard said Oustalet and the IP
Casino Resort and Spa as well as others made a commitment 20 years ago to change the coast through fundraising events and charitable donations. “And it’s happening every day,” Trenchard said.
The IP donated $100,000 to the foundation last month as a beginning
for the 2022 fundraising effort and Trenchard said he’s already making additional donation plans. “As I have always said, I’ve got the best job in the world,” Trenchard said. “And we have lots of other announcements we are going to make later this year.”
The gala is 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. May
13 at the Jackson County Fairgrounds
in Pascagoula with the golf tournament at 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. May 14 at Shell Landing Golf Club in Gautier. Visit www.bacotmccarty.org for additional information about the Jolly Gala and golf tournament or ways to donate.
12 | May 2022
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