Page 14 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2026

COAST NOTE
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photo courtesy of The Salvation Army Mississippi Gulf Coast
When children experience a traumatic emergency, even the
smallest gesture can provide a sense of comfort. That was the
inspiration behind the Serve to Protect Stuffed Animal Drive,
led by Miss Southern Magnolia and Miss Mississippi Volunteer
contestant Annie Hillman in partnership with The Salvation
Army Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Held July 20-24 at The Salvation Army Kroc Center in Biloxi,
the community-wide collection invited residents, businesses,
churches, schools, civic groups and local organizations to
donate new stuffed animals for children who encounter law
enforcement officers during difficult situations. Hillman collected
the donations following the drive and distributed them to law
enforcement agencies across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, giving
officers a simple but meaningful tool to help comfort children
during emergencies.
Hillman said the initiative grew from a desire to support both
local law enforcement and the children they serve. “Something
as simple as a stuffed animal can provide comfort, security and
a sense of care during a frightening moment,” she said. “My
goal is for Serve to Protect to continue growing and serving our
officers and our community for years to come.”
The Salvation Army embraced the opportunity to partner with
Hillman’s initiative, seeing it as a natural extension of its mission
to care for individuals and families facing difficult circumstances.
“At The Salvation Army, we are committed to caring for those
who are facing difficult circumstances, especially children,”
14 | September 2026 said Major Paul Egan, Area Commander for The Salvation
Army Mississippi Gulf Coast. “This partnership with Annie
Hillman’s Serve to Protect initiative is a meaningful way for
our community to support local law enforcement while helping
bring comfort and reassurance to children during challenging
moments.”
The drive highlighted the power of community involvement,
as residents came together to donate hundreds of new stuffed
animals that will now travel in patrol vehicles throughout the
Coast. While small in size, each toy represented compassion,
reassurance and hope for children experiencing frightening or
uncertain situations.
Through Serve to Protect, Hillman hoped not only to
provide a source of comfort during emergencies but also to
strengthen the bond between law enforcement officers and the
communities they serve. The success of the inaugural drive laid
the foundation for what organizers hope will become an annual
tradition, ensuring that more children receive a comforting
reminder that they are not alone during life’s most difficult
moments.
The Salvation Army MS Gulf Coast
575 Division St., Biloxi
228.374.8301
www.salvationarmy.org
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living