‘Heart of gold’ to GC veterans

Seventeen-year-old Shayla Pierson, a Long Beach, Miss., High School senior spearheaded an effort and donated 100 gift bags to the Gulf Coast Veterans Healthcare System’s (GCVHCS) Homeless Program on Dec. 18 at the Biloxi VA Medical Center. “Everyone who is homeless once had a home,” Pierson said. “They had family who loved them. Just because things happen doesn’t mean these people don’t have worth. Sometimes a person just needs to know someone cares and values their worth.” Pierson began collecting toiletries during a three-month project. In addition, at LBHS’ Family Career Community Leaders of America club, she asked other students to join in. As a result, donations of socks, personal grooming items and snacks filled more than 100 bags. “Shayla has a heart of gold,” said GCVHCS Homeless Program Manager Jodie Picciano-Swanson. She is the granddaughter of Korean War veteran and Gulfport, Miss., resident Paul Upton. (Source: Veterans Administration 01/20/20) The GCVHCS Homeless Program serves an estimated 875 homeless vet in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. The Biloxi Medical Center, along with the Mobile, Ala., and Pensacola, Eglin, and Panama City, Fla., VA clinics, are all part of the Gulf Coast Veterans Healthcare System.