Page 30 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2016

PEOPLE for a good cause
story by Lynn Lofton photos by Teddy Lewis
Don’t Worry Be Happy, the annual fundraiser for the Mental Health Association of South Mississippi, will be held September 9 at the Biloxi Civic Center. The main doors open at 7:00 p.m. with live music by 3HG. There will be a raffle of staycations, silent auction, appetizers and cash bar.
Special guest Mark Landis will be signing autographs. Originally from Laurel, the story of his life is fascinating — he posed as a philanthropist who donated art to galleries across America.
“The night is jam packed with activities, beginning with
a special party for event sponsors at 6:00 p.m. This party includes a Mixology Contest by AJAX Seafood Kitchen & Bar, Cora’s Restaurant & Bar, Morton’s the Steakhouse, Ole Biloxi
Fillin’ Station, Salute Italian Restaurant/Lookout Steakhouse and the Biloxi Luggar, sponsored by American Star Vodka,” the association's Executive Director Kay Daneault said.
The Annette O'Keefe Humanitarian Award will be presented to Elaine Stevens and James Edward Bates.
Anthony Mitchell says of Stevens, “It was about thirteen years ago that I, as president of the Second Liners Mardi Gras Club, had the pleasure of meeting this phenomenal woman. Elaine was there for us at our humble beginning, believed in us, cultivated the seed and had a profound impact that has enabled us to blossom into the organization we are today.”
Michael Sunderman, publisher of South Mississippi Living magazine, tells a story of one of the many times Bates has
30 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • September 2016
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Ashley Endris
Ben and Rebecca Powers
Dan Nichols
Leslie Ledet
Jackie and Mark Orgler
DON’T WORRY
Elaine Stevens and James Edwards Bates
Tim Bennett
Be Happy
John and Sara Oropesa