Ville Platte couple named recipients of Philanthropy Award

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A Ville Platte couple has been honored as the recipients of the 2018 Leaders in Philanthropy Award for Evangeline Parish by the Community Foundation of Acadiana (CFA) and Hancock Whitney Bank.
Mary Alice and Leonard Fontenot will be recognized for serving their community with “time, talent, and generous contributions” during an awards luncheon on Thursday, November 15th at the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette.
In a release from CFA it states that “Mary’s past activities have included choir, both singing and playing the organ, and lector. Leonard has served on the church council, performed Eucharistic minister duties and lector duties, and presently brings communion to the homebound. He is a member of the Eunice Players Theater and a member of the Manship Theater. Leonard is the former Vicar Coordinator for the Bishops Services Appeal and a member and advisor for Central Louisiana Community Foundation. Currently, he is active in Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House recruiting, managing the Seminary Fund for K of C Council 1754, seeking support for the Rotary Foundation, and is a member of the Cabot Community Advisory Panel.”
In the release it also shared that “Leonard is proud to have recently begun serving on the Evangeline Parish Foundation, an organization he is most proud to serve.”
Leonard said, “The Foundation itself will only give to the community. This parish is in need of help and we have a diverse group of members that can cater to a diverse group of needs.”
According to CFA, “The Fontenots have donated generously in several areas of the community such as Sacred Heart Church of Ville Platte, Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Sacred Heart School Foundation, the Rotary Foundation, The Evangeline Parish Foundation, and the Ville Platte Rotary Club.” In the release it states that both Mary and Leonard have been “a source of generosity in the community and have been active in clubs and organizations, have served on numerous boards,” and “they are currently supporting members of theater groups ant the Community Foundation of Central Louisiana.”
Mary said, “God has blessed us and we need to return those blessings by helping others.”
Leonard is a retired CLECO employee while Mary is a retired science school teacher. Leonard’s former employer, CLECO, is also a sponsor of the philanthropy award.
The Fontenots have been active members in both Catholic churches in Ville Platte and currently attend Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Leaders in Philanthropy Awards are presented annually to outstanding individuals or couples from each of the eight parishes of CFA’s primary service area who have made a philanthropic impact in their communities through substantial charitable contributions to or by attracting substantial contributions for nonprofits, churches or schools.
“Our annual Leaders in Philanthropy Awards Luncheon is an appropriate way to recognize those who have contributed so much to our communities through charitable giving or philanthropic work,” said Raymond J. Hébert, CFA President and CEO. “We appreciate the community’s help in identifying worthy recipients through this nominations process.”