Page 20 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2016

COASTNOTES
2016
Honoring Dave Dennis story by Kelsey Sunderman photos by Michael Sunderman
The 30th annual National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society Dinner of Champions was held recently at
the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino. Since 1972, the National MS Society has hosted this event as a way
to recognize companies and individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to making a difference in the lives of those living with multiple sclerosis.
This year’s honoree was Dave Dennis, a respected businessman from Gulfport, Mississippi, and president of Specialty Contractors. “Our feeling is that if you want to enhance your community, you
get out, go roll your sleeves up and go make it work. That’s what we’ve done our entire lives,” said Dennis. “If Multiple Sclerosis wants to acknowledge that, I’m grateful, but it doesn’t matter. We’re still working on the ground in the morning, doing civic things along with our real job.”
Dennis is well known throughout the Coast for his impressive achievements and commitment to
philanthropy. From being named Mississippi’s Volunteer of the Year by the Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC) and National Volunteer of the Year by the Southern Economic Development Council in 2000 to serving as Chairman of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Leadership Mississippi and many more leadership roles, Dennis has continued to improve the community through his civic actions.
Dinner of Champions attendees are able to dine alongside friends and family of the honoree, while also learning about MS treatment options and participating in silent auctions. Funds raised go towards researching the disease that affects thousands of Mississippians, as well as to contributing to the quality of life of people living with the disease. The Dinner of Champions has been held in Jackson, Mississippi since 1986 but was introduced on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the first time in 2013.
20 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • October 2016
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