Collecting Gifts for Foster Children

The South Mississippi Child Advocacy Center located in Gulfport has served the Gulf Coast since 1988.
The center works closely with law enforcement, district attorney offices, and the Department of Human Services by providing forensic interviews in all cases involving child abuse allegations.
The center has worked with over 400 children in 2016 and now they’re collecting toy donations to make the Christmas holidays a little brighter for these boys and girls. South Mississippi Child Advocacy Center Program Director Shawna Pankonin said, “If we can give them one small piece of hope in all of that darkness then you know we’ve done something good. Anybody willing to come in and volunteer, even if it’s just dropping off a present, you’re making a difference in the lives of children that have been abused. That is forever more gonna be something that you can carry with you. You might not know who that child is, but you’ve done that, you’ve touched a life.”
Anyone wanting to donate toys can call 868-8686 or drop them off at 2315 17th Street in Gulfport.