Hometown Heroes: Volunteer Leslie Ramone gives back to community

At a time when she had nothing but a car, Leslie Ramone gave her all to help those around her.  Leslie Ramone is this month’s Hometown Hero.

Leslie Ramone doesn’t shy away from volunteer work. She has spent the last six years doing it. It started right in her own home. “I used to live in downtown Biloxi, so a lot of people knew that ‘Hey if they need something. We can go to Ms. Leslie’s house.  Knock on the door. Hey, I’m hungry!’. You know, I would feed ’em, clothe ’em. Wintertime, you know, give them blankets and stuff.”

From there, Leslie started volunteering at Loaves and Fishes. This kind of work came naturally because like those she served, Leslie had fallen on hard times, too. “At that point, I had just lost everything. My children had to go live with my mom because I couldn’t take care of them. Lost my apartment… only thing that I pretty much had left was my car.”

It was during these struggles that she found her calling in caring for others. She’s been doing it ever since.

Leslie is back on her feet now, but she continues to lend a hand to help other people up too like Charles Johnson, someone who went from having a meal at Loaves and Fishes to serving them. He said, “She stepped in when I was at my worst spot. And pretty much mentored me, coached me, and gave me the courage and confidence that I can be who I once was.”

Charles is now a chef at the Biloxi Yacht Club, but he still volunteers when he can. “She’s been a mentor to me to start promoting that side of my life, and helping others where they need help.”

Leslie is on the board at Jubilee Havens, a nonprofit that helps human trafficking survivors. She also is a wish granter at Make-A-Wish. “Everybody is one step away from being homeless. It doesn’t take much. I felt like, even though I didn’t have much to give, I gave what I could.”

You can nominate a local hero in your life by clicking here.