Gulf Pine Catholic

12 Gulf Pine Catholic • July 27, 2018 St. Therese parishioner Toles receives national service award BY KATHLEEN BURTON Through the Office of the Governor and Volunteer Mississippi, on April 16, the GIVE Awards were presented to recognize those individuals and organizations that have made an outstanding impact through their gifts of service, advocacy, and outreach on behalf of the citizens of Mississippi. Out of more than 80 statewide nominations, awards were given to nine indi- viduals and three organizations and were presented by First Lady Deborah Bryant during a special luncheon held in Jackson. The recipient for the award for Outstanding Service by a National Service Participant was from the Gulf Coast. She is a member of St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Gulfport, and a member of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Court 25. Her name is Denise Dimes Toles. Denise has volunteered for the Senior Companion Program in Harrison County for the past seven years. As a senior companion, she provides assistance and friendship to elderly individuals who are homebound and who live alone. By taking care of simple chores, providing transportation to medical appointments, and offering contact to the outside world, Denise helps Mississippians in their golden years stay in their own homes without being lonely or overwhelmed by day-to- day tasks. She even helps celebrate birthdays by baking one of her homemade cakes for their special day. She has proven herself to be an uplifting spirit to the staff and volunteers of the program, volunteering near- ly 30 hours a week, and goes above and beyond her senior companion role by pitching in whenever needed and mentoring other volunteers. Denise volunteers additional hours assisting with monthly meetings by running errands, passing out materials, making copies and serving as a mentor to her fellow senior compan- ions. She is always early for scheduled meetings and usually the last to leave. When she is not serving as a senior companion, Denise volunteers as a bus monitor for special needs children through the Gulfport School District. She also is a long time Catechist at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Gulfport where she is an outstand- ing instructor and role model to the children. Through her membership in the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Court #25, she provides assistance to the homeless and works with women’s shelters. Mayor Billy Hewes of Gulfport recognized and proclaimed Tuesday, June 19, 2018, as Denise Dimes Toles Day by Mayoral Proclamation. In his Proclamation, it is stated, “She is one of those rare indi- viduals who dedicates her days to comforting and Denise Dimes Toles, center, is shown with First Lady Deborah Bryant, left, and Executive Director of Volunteer MS Monica Ritchie, right. brightening the lives of those who feel forgotten or misunderstood.” Story printed with permission of Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service. Prayer for Protection against Storms and Hurricanes Our Father in Heaven through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during this Hurricane season from all harm. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Official Denise Dimes Toles Day Proclamation