From Marketing to Philanthropy: Emily Sham's Community Journey With The Red Cross
Release Date: 08/13/2025
From Marketing to Philanthropy: Emily Sham's Community Journey With The Red Cross
Bottled Up
In this episode of Buttoned Up, Andrew Allen talks with Emily Sham, the regional philanthropy officer for the , and shares her journey from Madison, Mississippi, to the Gulf Coast. She discusses her background in marketing and event planning, her impactful work at , and her passion for community engagement. Emily details the Red Cross's diverse efforts, disaster relief, home fire response, blood drives, and military family support, emphasizing the need for local involvement and volunteerism. The conversation highlights the unique spirit of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and ways listeners can...
info_outline
Finding Your Voice and Special Olympics Mississippi with Monica Daniels
Bottled Up
In this episode of Bottled Up, host Andrew Allen chats with Monica Daniels, Executive Director of . Monica shares her personal journey into the nonprofit world, inspired by her daughter's experience with Magnolia Speech School. She explains how the Special Olympics empowers athletes with intellectual disabilities through competitive sports. She discusses the history of the Special Olympics, its focus on inclusion and unified teams, and highlights how athletes now compete at high levels with dedicated training and support. Monica also talks about the organization's year-round events, the...
info_outline
Inside the Culture of Allen Beverages With Jeff Weatherford and Mike Hinton
Bottled Up
In this episode of Bottled Up, host Andrew Allen sits down with Mike Hinton and Jeff Weatherford, two longtime leaders at Allen Beverages. With over 50 years of combined experience, they share how they worked their way up from trainees to management, recall how technology and the soft drink business have evolved, and highlight what makes their workplace culture feel like family. From hilarious stories of soda mishaps to practical advice for new hires, Mike and Jeff stress the importance of building relationships, adapting to new challenges, and supporting each other. Whether you’re curious...
info_outline
Family, Community, and Nostalgia: Inside the Frosty Mug with the Gollotts
Bottled Up
In this episode of Bottled Up, Andrew Allen talks with Chris and Payton Gollott, owners of in Wiggins, Mississippi. Chris shares his background growing up in D'Iberville, MS., his lifelong experience in the restaurant industry, and the journey to acquiring The Frosty Mug in December 2023. He discusses balancing tradition with new ideas, improving menu quality, and the importance of maintaining the community's beloved gathering spot. Payton, Chris's son, talks about joining the family business while studying business in college and how the hands-on experience is shaping his future goals....
info_outline
Inside the World of MS Sneaker Culture with Randy Richardson and John Carter
Bottled Up
In this episode of Bottled Up, host Andrew Allen chats with Randy Richardson and John Carter, co-founders of MS Sneaker Culture. They dive into the world of sneakers, discussing their passion for collecting, trading, and customizing sneakers. Randy talks about his long-time love for sneakers and how he has around 150 pairs in rotation. John shares how he got into sneakers with Randy's influence, now owning about 70 pairs. The episode also explores the origin of MS Sneaker Culture and its fast-growing sneaker conventions. They discuss the details of their events, emphasizing an upscale,...
info_outline
From Family Roots to Radio Waves With Rip Daniels
Bottled Up
In this episode, Andrew Allen chats with Rip Daniels, CEO of WJZD Incorporated. Rip shares his journey from growing up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to becoming a successful entrepreneur and radio station owner. With deep family roots in the area, Rip discusses his family's history of entrepreneurship, which inspired his desire to start his own business. He recounts his early endeavors, from working in construction to becoming an announcer and eventually launching in 1994. Rip emphasizes the importance of community involvement and how the station remains dedicated to serving their local...
info_outline
Infinity and Beyond: Exploring Mississippi's Space Legacy with Michelle Anderson
Bottled Up
In this episode of Bottled Up, host Andrew Allen chats with , CEO and Executive Director of the . They discuss Michelle's background, including her education and journey to the Science Center. Michelle shares the history and development of the Infinity Science Center, starting from its early days as the Stentosphere to its grand opening in 2012. They talk about the center's relationship with NASA's Stennis Space Center, its major fundraisers, and future plans. Michelle touches on exciting new exhibits and her favorite one. They also highlight the center's role in both public education and...
info_outline
Exploring Walter Anderson's Legacy: Art, Nature, and Community with Julian Rankin
Bottled Up
In this episode, Andrew Allen speaks with Julian Rankin, Executive Director of the , about the impact of coastal artist Walter Anderson. They explore Anderson's role in promoting creativity and his misunderstood vision, discuss the museum's growth over the past 30 years, and highlight recent expansions like a new restaurant and green space. Rankin also discusses the museum's educational goals, community engagement, and exciting events like the "Silent Light" festival. They reflect on the resilience shown during Hurricane Katrina and the museum's ongoing efforts to support the creative...
info_outline
Building Christmas Magic: Behind the Scenes of Gulfport's Harbor Lights Event
Bottled Up
In this episode of Bottled Up, Andrew interviews Billy Lehman and Alicia Chambless about their roles in organizing events for the city of Gulfport. Billy, the Assistant Director of Leisure Services, and Alicia, the Special Events Coordinator, share their experiences and backgrounds. They discuss the history and growth of the , a massive Christmas light display in Gulfport's Jones Park. The event has grown significantly since it started in 2015, featuring over 2 million lights, Santa's Village, and various food vendors. They talk about the planning process, which begins more than a year in...
info_outline
Transforming Main Street: Kristen Garriga's Vision for Gulfport
Bottled Up
In this episode, Andrew Allen chats with , executive director of the . Kristen shares her journey from volunteering to help businesses with social media during COVID to establishing her own LLC and taking a vital role in revitalizing downtown Gulfport. We learn about her work with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce and her efforts in real estate marketing. Kristen discusses organizing events like ViewThe Coast, Gunbo Fest, and the upcoming concert series. She also highlights challenges like vacant properties and high insurance costs and outlines plans for more retail, residential...
info_outline
In this episode of Buttoned Up, Andrew Allen talks with Emily Sham, the regional philanthropy officer for the American Red Cross in Alabama and Mississippi, and shares her journey from Madison, Mississippi, to the Gulf Coast. She discusses her background in marketing and event planning, her impactful work at Two Men and a Truck, and her passion for community engagement. Emily details the Red Cross's diverse efforts, disaster relief, home fire response, blood drives, and military family support, emphasizing the need for local involvement and volunteerism. The conversation highlights the unique spirit of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and ways listeners can give back.
Here's What You'll Learn In This Episode:
The surprising statistics behind local disasters: Did you know home fires are the #1 disaster the Red Cross responds to here? Emily explains why—and how you can help.
Why the Gulf Coast is America's most disaster-prone region, and what that means for support and preparedness.
The Red Cross goes beyond disaster relief in many ways, including free smoke alarm installation in at-risk neighborhoods, blood drives, and special support for military families.
How you can make a difference: Volunteer, donate blood, or contribute financially—Emily gives you real, actionable ways to get involved locally.
The story behind Two Men and a Truck's international journey and their Movers for Moms campaign helping women in need each spring.
3 Episode Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Community Involvement: Whether it's coordinating disaster relief, supporting military families, or running blood drives, engaging with your local community can make a huge difference. Emily is proof that one person's network can amplify support for entire regions.
2. Disaster Relief Goes Beyond Headlines: While the Red Cross is known for responding to hurricanes and fires, they're also working behind the scenes – most disaster calls in their region are actually home fires, not the natural disasters we typically think of.
3. Anyone Can Get Involved: From donating blood or volunteering, to simply staying informed, there are so many ways to support vital organizations like the Red Cross. 90% of their workforce is made up of volunteers, and local contributions stay local!
Show Overview
00:00 Emily Sham: Local Philanthropy Insights
05:35 Franchise's First Marketing Efforts
06:17 Community-Centric Marketing Approach
11:35 Horn Island's Unique Coastal Experience
15:01 Joining Chamber, Focusing on Marketing
17:22 Red Cross: Beyond Disaster Relief
19:46 Mission-Focused Financial Efficiency
24:05 Red Cross: Certification and Military Support
28:34 Mississippi Red Cross Deficit Solution
30:45 Blood Donation App Simplifies Process
33:47 Coastal Life and Community Bonds