South MS teen who founded nonprofit is hosting her biggest event of the year this weekend

Her mission began with a dilemma. Kai Davis always wished she could visit charity events with her mother. But Davis, then just 8 years old, was too young.

“I saw a problem with that,” she said.

So in 2017, Davis founded Big Hearts Little Hands, a nonprofit that helps children join philanthropy and community service projects across the Mississippi Coast. Davis, now 15, is a sophomore at Gulfport High School. And on Saturday, she will throw her nonprofit’s largest event of the year.

It’s called Kai’s Give Back Gala . It is her 8th annual fundraiser. She calls it a “charity gala for kids by kids.”

“It’s like a party for a cause,” Davis said. She is planning dancing, food, trivia, arts and crafts and a photo booth. Entrance is free to anyone who brings a donation, and this year donations will benefit the Women’s Resource Center .

Past galas have supported Moore’s Community House, the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence, the Mental Health Association and Movers and Shakers Social Club.

This year’s gala is themed “Life in the Fast Lane.” There will be lots of red, black and checkers, Davis said. It is also a strategic message: Davis said she wants to put people on the fast track to helping others.

The annual gala is the largest event for Big Hearts Little Hands, which Davis started after she was inspired by her mother, who passed down a love of community service.

Her early galas were mostly attended by kids her age and adults, Davis said. Younger children have recently started to attend with their parents.

Davis is back in school this month and planning the gala amid a busy schedule. She is also a cheerleader, a member of student council, is involved in theater and is this year’s Miss Gulf Coast Teen Volunteer . She is leaning toward attending college at Jackson State University, she said, and would like to become a neurologist who specifies in clinical trials for psychology.

“It’s hard to balance everything sometimes,” she said. But she said she reminds herself: “This is something that I get to do.”

How to attend Kai’s Give Back Gala in Biloxi

The gala will be held from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. August 17 at the Biloxi Visitors Center.

All are welcome and a donated item is required for entry.

Davis is asking for the following items for children ages 0 to 24 months: hooded towels, head-to-toe body wash or shampoo, baby lotion, diaper rash creams, swaddles, burp clothes, baby finger nail clippers, baby combs and brushes, baby washcloths, bibs, baby blankets, bottle sippy cups and clothing.

All items must be new.