Page 22 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2019

COASTNOTES
story by
Lynn Lofton
SET FOR JULY 13
SALVATION ARMY
UNVEILS HELP CARD PROGRAM
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster
Hey, man, can you spare a dollar or two? Everyone has either seen a panhandler at a street corner or been approached by one. What should you do when asked for help? The Salvation Army recently unveiled a new program addressing just that.
Salvation Army leaders announced the new Help Card program, which directs community members to hand out small yellow cards — the size of a business card — that list locations for free meals and assistance rather than offering money.
“We’re certainly a caring community and we should be,” said Salvation Army Maj. Anita Caldwell, “but research has shown that some panhandlers have a car and a home, and panhandling is their career. Some have addictions to drugs, alcohol or gambling. And some are genuinely in need of help.”
The Salvation Army, after seeing its initial supply of 2,000 Help Cards distributed to businesses and the public in a matter of days, has made another 10,000 of the free referral cards available at the Biloxi Visitors Center, the Kroc Center in Biloxi, or The Salvation Army on 22nd Street in Gulfport.
“The Help Card serves as a tool, not a solution in itself,” said Maj. Bradley Caldwell of the Army’s Gulf Coast Area Command. “Those who face a need can consult agencies listed on the Card for assistance and guidance, which impacts their futures far more than a couple of dollars in hand on the side of the road.”
The Salvation Army Kroc Center MS Gulf Coast
575 Division St., Biloxi | 228.207.1218 www.krocmscoast.org
The Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Martini Shakedown has come a long way in 15 years. The 15th Shakedown takes place July 13, 7-11 p.m., at the Beau Rivage.
Comparing the first event to more recent ones is like night and day in some respects, the Foundation’s Executive Director Shellie Moses says. “But in
others we’ve stayed constant. At the first Martini Shakedown, our goal was to have 100 people. Now, we’ve been consistently having over 500.”
Asked why the event has been successful, Moses said, “Our relationship with the Beau Rivage for one thing; they are avid supporters and people attending like being able to help ill children.”
Money raised goes to help grant the wishes of local Wish kids. “Right now, in South Mississippi alone, we have over 40 kids who are waiting to have their one true wish granted and that number continues to grow,” Moses said. “Because of the steady increase in the cost of wishes and the number of referrals we are receiving, it’s taking 13 months to grant a wish that should normally take six months. Even for a healthy child that’s a long time to wait for something.”
The goal is to raise more money and eliminate the 13-month wait. “These wishes are not just nice, they are a gamechanger that gives these children something positive to look forward to and — most importantly — gives them something to live for,” Moses said.
228.575.8691 | smoses@ms.wish.org www.shakedown.givesmart.com
22 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • July 2019
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net