Evangeline Parish comes together to help S.W. La.

Hurricane Laura left a path of devastation across southwest Louisiana and even into central Louisiana, leaving many families homeless. Evangeline Parish residents and business owners immediately started a collection drive for the hurricane survivors and evacuees.
Some donations were collected at Dr. Philippe Vidrine’s office. Vidrine and other dentists in Ville Platte donated cases of supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss. Vidrine’s wife, Shaun, spearheaded the collection, and she and zydeco musician Corey Ledet delivered the donations Tuesday in Lake Charles. They also collected bottled water, toilet paper, and other essentials. While they handed out the much-needed supplies, Ledet played from his accordion to bring some cheer to the people hurting from the storm.
Ledet said, “I think this is a time where everybody should help each other, especially right now with everything going on. I’m big about helping the next person, even if it’s nothing but giving them a bottle of water or giving them something to eat or playing some music for them to put a smile on their face.”
Dr. Philippe said it was important for the dentists to donate oral hygiene items because often times these items are overlooked but are essential to stay healthy. “Good hygiene makes you feel better, too,” he added. “Helping people is just a natural thing,” said Shaun. She and Dr. Philippe thanked all the dentists in Ville Platte: Doctors Kirk Soileau, Jill LeBlanc, Ted Ardoin, Peter Fontenot, and Angela Sylvester Soileau. Also making donations were Troy and Terri Fuselier, and Wayne and Missy Vidrine. Shaun said she will be making another round of deliveries, and they are in need of diapers, formula, wipes, and other essential items which can be dropped off at Dr. Philippe Vidrine’s office at 717 West Lincoln Road.
Ville Platte resident Mable Foreman has been helping First Baptist Church collect donations for displaced nursing home residents and staff from Lake Charles. Heritage Manor Nursing Home took in over 200 nursing home evacuees from two nursing homes, placing them in a separate building that was made for these types of situations. Foreman seemed overwhelmed with the generosity, saying individual people have been donating clothing and money, and companies have been helping, too. She said a Marksville Stage Store manager named Desiree got together with several other Stage managers to buy the remaining items at the Ville Platte Stage location, which is closing. They donated over 200 pieces of new clothing, as well as other items including makeup and accessories to help lift the spirits of the evacuees. Cabot Corporation brought a truck-load of clothes, including nightware and socks, adult diapers, and blankets. Ville Platte Rotary donated enough money to buy disinfecting spray for the whole nursing home. Abby Rogers, who owns Hidden Treasures in Ville Platte, donated clothes and books and shoes. Other big donors were Bobby Dupre, Paul’s Meat Market, and Freedom Family Church. Anyone wishing to donate to the displaced nursing home residents and staff may drop off donations at Heritage Manor.
Dr. Tim Fontenot said he, along with Chris Veillon and other McNeese Alumni of Ville Platte, with the help of the Calcasieu Area Council Boy Scouts of America, will be cooking and donating two “good home-cooked Cajun meals.” They will be there on Saturday, September 5th and plan to feed approximately 75-100 people, including first responders, line crews, medical teams, people repairing their homes and businesses, etc. Fontenot said donations are needed, especially money, food, water, storm cleanup items, tarps, etc. Anyone interested in going to help, or wishing to donate to the Lake Charles area and McNeese Cowboy and Cowgirl Family, contact Chris Veillon at 337-336-0268. They are setting up at the Boy Scout office at 304 Dr. Michael DeBakey Drive, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601.
Fontenot said in a Facebook post, “Come on, Ville Platte! Show them that Tee Cotton Bowl spirit! The people of this area just need a hand up, not a hand out! We are McNeese tough, we got that blue and gold pride. Cowboys and Cowgirls can survive! United we stand! Where we geaux one, we geaux all!”
Fontenot also issued a challenge to all former Scouts, friends of Scouts, and particularly the Eagle scouts from Evangeline Parish, “Help the Scouts of the Calcasieu Council help others by making monetary donations specifically to the Calcasieu Council of the Boy Scouts of America! All the parishes they serve have been declared disaster areas! Please donate to the Scouts at the Evangeline Bank at the hurricane relief fund, but make sure you name the Scouts in your donation!” Fontenot credited Veillion with the idea.
Connie Lamke, head of The Acosta Foundation, said she spoke with State Representative Rhonda Butler to see how the Acosta Foundation can help. Representative Butler is asking for help for a church in Hineston where there are elderly and ill people who are still without power, Also, service/linemen in Sulphur need water, tarps, flashlights with batteries, baby formula, diapers, wipes, and non-perishable food items. The Acosta Foundation got together with Luke Deville at Teet’s Food Store which is allowing the Acosta Foundation to collect items on Saturday September 5th. Teet’s is offering a list of sales items for the hurricane relief drive. Shoppers can purchase these items or anything else at Teet’s Food Store, and Teet’s will load it onto a trailer on-site. For questions, contact Lamke at (337) 831-9915, or contact any Acosta Foundation board member.
Elizabeth West, marketing director for Evangeline Tourism, has been taking in donations at the Chamber office. Individuals who have donated include Mike Perron, Kelly Ludeau, Rachael LeBas, Kinzey Franks, Brian Vidrine, Rachael Saucier, Tina Orgeron, and Elizabeth West. Supplies are going to southwest Louisiana and to individuals in Allen, Vernon, and Rapides Parishes.
Other Ville Platte businesses collecting donations are Cottage Couture, Tincy’s Corner, and Ardoin’s Funeral Home, where manager Mike Pool, the governor of Southwest Louisiana Funeral Directors’ Association, is taking donations from funeral homes around the area to help funeral homes devastated by Laura. Among businesses helping those in need, everyday citizens of Evangeline Parish are sending help, either monetarily or donations of essential goods or clothing, proving the people of Louisiana are compassionate and resilient.