Page 62 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2023

GIVING BACK
Duchess Club
of Ocean Springs
story by Cherie Ward photo courtesy of Duchess Club of Ocean Springs
It’s the type of dedication legends are made of – a volunteer group of women who devote time, money, love, and energy to helping Ocean Springs children through various partnerships, events, and outreaches.
And you’ve probably seen at least one or two of the members of the Duchess Club of Ocean Springs all around the Gulf Coast helping to raise money for events such as Renaissance the Runway or the Jolly golf tournament, both annual fundraisers hosted by the Bacot Foundation of South Mississippi. Or, you might have seen them volunteering with the Special Olympics of
Mississippi, because no matter the cause, if it’s for a good reason, they are all in.
The ladies also annually sponsor Angel Trees for a doll and toy drive
at numerous businesses such as Eat Drink Love, the Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA-Blossman Family Branch, the Ocean Springs Yacht Club, Miner’s Toy Store, St. Paul United Methodist Church, and McMurphy Orthodontics. Toys can be donated until Dec. 15
and last year’s Angel Trees helped 190 children have a fantastic Christmas.
Duchess Club at Renaissance the Runway.
The community-dedicated Duchess Club of Ocean Springs is more than 70 years old, and the doll and toy drive is its largest outreach. Club members also sell limited edition Christmas ornaments and hold a spring rummage sale to raise funds. The club also gives scholarships to graduating high school students and
youth summer camps and has donated to the food pantry at Ocean Springs High School.
Duchess Club of Ocean Springs
Facebook @TheDuchessClubOfOceanSprings
Bacot Foundation of South Mississippi
Together We Are Making a Difference
www.bacotfoundation.org
62 | December 2023
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