Mississippi Gulf Coast resident Katherine Sutton knows firsthand that inside every caregiver is a superhero.
     These caring and courageous individuals are led by heart, working behind the scenes and in the shadows, helping save the lives of their loved ones every day. They face difficult challenges, take on hefty tasks, and overcome great obstacles without recognition.
     But thanks to Mississippi Heroes, that is changing. The registered 501(c)3 celebrates caregivers everywhere and held its first annual Mississippi Heroes Caregiver Conference on November 4, 2022, at the Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis. The event was free to attend and featured special speakers and panelists, door prizes, a fashion show and more; all geared to serve caregivers and their families.

     For more than seven years, Katherine was the caregiver for her grandfather, William LowenKamp, who died just three days after his 100^th birthday. The celebration had everyone dressed up as their favorite superhero and planted a seed for Mississippi Heroes and what would someday become Katherine’s legacy.
     The special superhero birthday party was one of many wonderful memories Katherine was blessed to have shared with her grandfather over the years. But her job as his caregiver wasn’t always easy. The role, she said, involved significant sacrifices, both personally and professionally, that too often left her feeling isolated, stressed, overwhelmed and void of any real outside support.
     “During the years I cared for him, I was single, I worked and spent most of my free time watching over him,” Katherine recalled. “He was very self-sufficient and had the best attitude regarding life which made it easy. When I was able to, I took him line dancing, to Seawolves games, to many events and formed some really great memories.
     “On the caring side, as he got older, it was very challenging. I spent many years living in guilt between working in New Orleans and caring for him. And no matter where I was there were problems. We had great caregivers and caregivers that were not so great. Towards the end of his life, our house flooded, we had one caregiver taking advantage of him, and his health was failing. It was definitely challenging. Friends disappear, and you don’t have time to care for yourself. But the memories are priceless when he was happy and healthy.”

     Katherine said all of those experiences combined, the good and the bad, is “where the idea for ‘Mississippi Heroes’ came to life.” The organization is Katherine’s beloved nonprofit that she launched as a tribute to caregivers locally and beyond with a mission to “Celebrate Everyday Caregivers Like Heroes.”
     Katherine manages the organization as its executive director alongside a board of directors including President Eric Alvarez, Treasurer Don Picolo, Secretary Antonia Allen, and Community Liaison Liz Hoop.     The board’s former secretary, Sheila Farr, said, “I loved working with Mississippi Heroes because they shine the light on those who are doing this very selfless work of caring for others. People who care for their loved ones, or work as caregiving professionals, typically do so behind the scenes, so it’s great to have the opportunity to publicly appreciate these individuals and celebrate them for the superheroes they really are.”

     Since making its start in mid-2019, Mississippi Heroes has celebrated approximately 24 caregivers and their families through individual reveals/surprise parties and recognized more than 500 caregivers through local events like the organization’s First Responders Halloween Cruise, Christmas Caregiver Party and more.
      “Our mission is to celebrate everyday family and professional caregivers/heroes who sacrifice their time, self-care, finances and other opportunities for the ones they care for,” Katherine said. “We aim to give caregivers a guilt-free day of relaxation and fun, or acknowledgement in some way. This allows them to refresh, refocus, and rejuvenate their minds, bodies, and spirits so they can continue the invaluable service they provide to others.     The results are caregivers who receive opportunities to relieve stress, escape the routine, and receive appreciation for their selflessness…a little love and support to honor all they do every day.”
     Mississippi Gulf Coast caregiver Bertha Crawford was recognized during a Mississippi Heroes Family Caregiver reveal in August 2022 with a celebration at Gulfport’s Champion Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, which donated $500 to help offset costs for Crawford and her family. Crawford also received a massage donated by Island View Casino Resort’s Blue Shell Spa and dinner, compliments of The Rack House in Gulfport. Crawford was nominated for the special recognition by friend Brenda Wilson.
     Katherine said, “It is an honor and very humbling to hear the stories and be part of the caregiver reveals. Life is very surreal, and we are all very fortunate with the lives we touch, those we can help, and being able to share stories that will help others.
“I love seeing Mississippi Heroes grow and hope to be able to continue to grow and touch people’s lives in a positive way.”

     Everyone is invited to support Mississippi Heroes by donating online at www.MississippiHeroes.org. The organization is also supported by business partners and sponsors as well as annual community events including the Gulf Coast Beer and Bacon (and Chocolate) Festival set for March 4, 2023, and the Mississippi Heroes Celebration with Superheroes 5K that takes place in April and offers T-shirt, sign, and table sponsorships. In 2022, the Festival and its infamous mascot, “Bacon Bit,” raised $35,000 with proceeds going to help fund efforts of the organization.
     “People have been very receptive and love the idea. There is a definite need for celebrating those and supporting those who care for others,” Katherine said.
     Gulf Coast resident Dean Kraner supports Mississippi Heroes as an Ambassador. Kraner met Katherine a couple of years ago and said he has since felt led to become a larger part of the organization.
     “I play Batman and Buddy the Elf at our events,” he said. “The kids and families involved love our events. We now give caregivers a day off, and we also host/sponsor fun events for first responders and nurses. It is very rewarding to give back to the community.”

     Other Mississippi Heroes Ambassadors are: Liz Hoop, Sandy Walsh, Kathy Brown Vanzutphen, Gina Sanford, Brandy Waltman, and Jackie Castro-Cooper.
     For more information about Mississippi Heroes, to become a program ambassador and/or to nominate or sponsor a caregiver today, visit www.MississippiHeroes.org. Call (228) 234-4649. Follow Mississippi Heroes on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for details about upcoming events and fundraisers.
     You can also learn more about the organization at its upcoming first-ever Mississippi Heroes Caregivers Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on January 12, 2023, at the Knight Nonprofit Center, 11975 Seaway Road, in Gulfport. A free lunch will be provided, and agencies will be available to discuss their services during a meet and greet.

Amanda Compton-Ortiz

Amanda Compton-Ortiz holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from the University of Mississippi. She relocated from North Mississippi to Long Beach in October 2016. Amanda has worked for more than 20 years in journalism, leading and reporting for various community news publications throughout the state. She has received numerous awards for her editorial contributions from the Mississippi Press Association and placed among 224 universities competing across the United States and Canada for Reach, a personally created magazine for women.