Around the time the Tee Cotton Bowl was set to be played, it was learned 10 students wishing to play football at Ville Platte High School were turned away because of a shortage of helmets. The shortage was due to manufacturing/availability and costs. After speaking with the coach, Renee Brown, director of marketing/ business development and physician recruiting at Mercy Regional Medical Center, wanted to find a way to keep those student involved in the football program because of the positive skills affiliated with organized sports. After Brown spoke with the coach, he was able to locate gently used helmets in the needed sizes. Brown, then, called Progressive Tractor and Acadian Ambulance. Both companies said they would help purchase the 10 helmets to change 10 lives. Pictured from left with two of the helmets are Allie Soileau, public relations director at Progressive Tractor; Roy Serie, head coach; Amy Guidry, operational coordinator of Acadian Ambulance; and Brown. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)
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