Page 25 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2019

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THANKS
FOR MAKING US YOUR LOCAL CHOICE
story and photo courtesy of WXXV
NEWS 25 viewers are some of the most compassionate people on the Coast. It’s evident in the responses we see from our stories. Earlier this year, NEWS 25 reporter Kristen Anzuini spotted an unusual ad on a bus stop bench in Biloxi. A woman named Julie Long was advertising for a new kidney.
“I just thought, she’s trying so hard to save her own life. I’ve got to help,” says Anzuini. Anzuini met up with Long and produced a story that
was shared over 300 times by our viewers on social media. As a result, six people were tested to see if they were a match and Long received her kidney last month. “I’m happy to say she
is recovering from the transplant now,” adds Anzuini.
It takes an especially generous person to donate an organ, but others are generous with their time and hard-earned money. The staff at the Seashore Mission in Biloxi know first-hand how giving News 25 viewers can be.
In late May, the mission needed $1,000 to service their air conditioning units or they would have to shut down for the summer. Each month the mission serves over 2,000 meals to the less fortunate, houses a clothing and food pantry and offers the homeless a place to cool off.
“We received an email about the Mission and I went out to do a story that day,” said Anzuini. “The story ran in our 9 p.m. FOX Newscast
and by the time I walked into work the next morning, a good Samaritan had dropped off
a check for the full $1,000 at the Mission! This community continually amazes me. The
support and compassion they have for those in need is awe inspiring.”
So this month, we’d just like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our viewers. Not only for watching NEWS 25, but for taking action to better our community. Viewers like you are why we love our jobs!
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
July 2019 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 25