Page 33 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2019

PEOPLE dancing with the stars
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino will host the 12th annual Moonlight & Magnolias fundraising gala, presented by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi and benefitting the American Red Cross Southeast Mississippi Chapter on Thursday, August 8. The evening event will include food, drink, a silent auction, Dancing with the Stars- type competition among local celebrity dancers, the introduction of the 2019 Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year, and guest dancing to the music of Starz.
This year’s celebrity dancers include Seaside Fitness owner Andrea Maxwell, sports massage therapist April Straight, Moon Tree Foundation founder Rosemary Roosa, Gulfport City Councilman Ron Roland, and Hardin Sports Medicine and Performance founder Dr. Brandon Hardin. Professional dancers Michael Spencer and Trish Drake will
partner with the celebrity dancers. As like in past years
of Moonlight & Magnolias, last year’s celebrity dancers will be the judges for this year’s competition.
“The Moonlight & Magnolias Gala has become a signature event on the Mississippi Coast and it gets better every year,” said gala committee chair Jennifer Lee. “An evening of great food, dancing, silent auction, a celebrity dance competition and a chance to honor a local humanitarian are enough to make it a hot ticket, but the best part is that we’re raising a lot of money to support our local Red Cross chapter and their work.”
All funds raised from the Moonlight & Magnolias Gala benefit the Southeast Mississippi chapter of the American Red Cross. “Our goal is to make Mississippi safe and prepared, and we can’t do that without the support
of our community,” Chapter Executive Director John McFarland said. “We’ve been very fortunate that South Mississippi businesses and individuals have always been so supportive and that we’ve been able to attract and engage so many great volunteers, including the committee
that produces this event. Thanks to Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi and the Beau Rivage, we’re able to use this
great event to raise a significant sum of money to support the chapter
while giving our donors a thoroughly entertaining evening of entertainment.”
Tickets for the event are $100 each and reserved tables of ten and
other corporate sponsorship levels are available. Tickets can be purchased by phone, online, and at the Gulfport Red
Cross office. Silent action items will also be available online for bidding beginning August 3.
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net July 2019 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 33
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American Red Cross
Southeast Mississippi Chapter 612 E. Pass Rd., Gulfport 229.896.4511 www.moonlight.home.qtego.net