April 2022

Employees of JD Bank donated $34,221 to United Way of Southwest Louisiana. This generous donation helps United Way of Southwest Louisiana continue building stronger communities by working in four areas that improve people’s lives: health, education, financial stability and basic needs. Pictured are (from left) Ann Barilleaux, SVP Marketing Director; Kayla Robinson, AVP/Branch Manager Morganfield & Big Lake Road; Oliver Clark, SVP Regional Retail Manager; Brandy Grantham, VP Branch Manager Nelson Road; Rochelle Mallet, SVP Regional Retail Manager; Becky Ainsworth, Director of Resource Development, United Way Southwest Louisiana.

During the March meeting of Knights of Columbus (KC) Council 2012 from Our Lady Help of Christians (OLHC) Parish in Jennings, the family of Mason and Debbie Lejeune (center and left) was recognized as the Council’s Family of the Month for February 2022. Grand Knight Toni Benoit (right) presented the award.Mason, with tremendous support from Debbie, has served as the Council’s KC Hall Manager for the last three years and thus he oversees all the aspects related to Hall rentals. He has made or coordinated many repairs to equipment at the Hall. He set up a new display for Council awards and he fabricated bulletin boards at the main entrance to the building. He built shelving, cabinets and partitions in the storeroom, allowing for more efficient storage of supplies and equipment. He purchases a large percentage of the supplies used by the Council. For the Council’s barbecue fundraiser in October 2021, he sold more than his quota of tickets. He also helped to prepare and distribute the meals to customers on the day of the event. For the Council’s annual Tootsie Roll Drives he has helped collect donations, which benefit God’s Special Angels who participate in the Special Olympics and those who attend the St. Mary’s Resident Training School in Alexandria. In the aftermath of the two hurricanes, which devastated our area in 2020, the Lejeunes worked at the supply distribution centers in OLHC Parish, helping families deal with the many challenges they were facing. Those distribution centers still operate once a month and the Lejeunes continue to work there. Mason and Debbie help set up the Hall for Council meetings each month. They have assisted in the serving of drinks at Council meetings. They have also helped prepare meals for the meetings. They have decorated the Hall for the Council’s annual Christmas parties.