Mississippi Stars Coming Back Home for Hospital Fund-Raiser

BYLINE: The Associated Press -- Sela Ward, like so many other native sons and daughters, knows where charity begins.

Ward, the Emmy Award-winning star of the ABC hit series Once and Again, is one of a dozen Mississippi-linked celebrities coming "home" this summer toparticipate in a fund-raiser for the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.

The goal of the Aug. 19 "Enchanted Evening Under the Stars With Mississippi Stars" is to raise money to add two floors, dedicated to pediatric surgery, to the facility.

Joining Ward will be Touched By An Angel's John Dye of Amory, actor Gary Grubbs of Prentiss, singer Guy Hovis of Tupelo of The Lawrence Welk Show, Broadway star Laurie Stephenson of Oxford, and Major Dad and Promised Land's Gerald McRaney of Collins.

Also participating are Sam Haskell of Amory, worldwide head of television for the William Morris Agency, and his wife, actress and former Miss Mississippi Mary Donnelly Haskell; former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley of Brandon, and her husband, television personality Gary Collins; and Grammy Award-winning performers Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis.

Ward, a Meridian native who still maintains a home there, is no stranger to homecomings, or charity.

"I come home at least four times a year, often more, depending on my schedule," Ward says.

During her current break from filming, "I'm just resting," she says.

"I decided I'm not going to do a project during my (series) hiatus, unless it's some major film that's going to change my career."

Nevertheless, much of Ward's down time has been dedicated to establishing a shelter for homeless and/or abused children in Meridian.

Sponsor of the fund-raiser is Friends of the Children's Hospital. The opportunity to mix and mingle with Ward and the others will cost a pretty penny. Tickets are $1,000 per couple.

The event will be held at the J. L. Holloway estate in Jackson, and the group hopes to raise $1.7 million.__The Commercial Appeal (June 26, 2000)