15 local celebrity waiters across the 3-parish service area help raise funds and awareness for CASA of the 18th JDC
[Port Allen, LA – Sept. 11, 2024] – The first Celebrity Waiter of the 18th JDC took place on Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Addis Community Center, gathering nearly 350 community members and raising $214,613 to support CASA of the 18th JDC.
This is the first year of this signature event to benefit the program, which began nearly one year ago. Fifteen men and women represented Iberville, Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge – the service area of CASA of the 18th JDC. These “celebrity waiters” helped sell tickets, raise funds, secure auction items and raise awareness for the organization which helps provide volunteer advocacy for children who are in foster care due to abuse or neglect.
The event far surpassed the $150,000 goal – a big task for this first event for CASA. But, the committee, led by Bridget Easley and co-chaired by Claudia Bourgeois, Melanie Clouatre and Stacie Keller, proved that it could be accomplished. “Words cannot begin to express my immense gratitude and sincere appreciation for all the hard work that went into making this event a huge success,” said Easley, who serves as board vice-president. “My co-chairs and committee members worked long hours, behind the scenes, after their full-time jobs and took time from their families to help ensure the success of this event.”
“We commend each and every one of the celebrity waiters for answering the call to get involved – with many of them not even knowing the full extent of what they signed up for,” added Bourgeois, who also serves as board president.
“We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support from our community," stated Melanie Clouatre, board treasurer and committee co-chair. "This fundraiser’s success is a testament to the collective effort and generosity of everyone involved. The funds raised will make a significant impact in the lives of abused and neglected children in the 18th JDC. Not only did we raise significant funds, but we brought awareness to the most vulnerable and at risk children in our community.”
“CASA of the 18th JDC will soon celebrate its first full year in existence, and this event solidified the commitment of our three parishes to stand firm for our most vulnerable children,” stated Kendall Hebert, executive director of the organization.
The 15 celebrity waiters were:
- JB Barker, Barker Brothers Plumbing
- Jeff Bergeron, Sheriff - West Baton Rouge Parish
- Chris Daigle, Parish-President - Iberville Parish
- Katie Jewell, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner & President of Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce
- James “Big Brown” Joseph, UPS
- Caleb Kleinpeter, Louisiana State Senator, District 17
- Joe Langlois, Vella Builders Construction
- Becky Miller, Clerk of Court - Pointe Coupee Parish
- Dr. Chandler Smith, Superintendent - West Baton Rouge Parish Schools*
- Brett Stassi, Sheriff - Iberville Parish*
- Rene’ Thibodeaux, Sheriff - Pointe Coupee Parish*
- Stacie Greene Thevis, Realtor - Greene Properties
- Donald Williams, Head Football Coach - Plaquemine High School
- Charlotte Willis, Financial Advisor - Edward Jones*
- Sheri Young, Human Resources – Shintech – TOP FUNDRAISER* *Denotes top five fundraisers
The celebrity bartenders include:
- Todd Berthelot – Vice President, GIS
- Jeremy LaCombe – Louisiana State Representative, District 18
- John & Tonya Lurry – Owners, JEL Electrical
Sponsors included:
- Presenting Sponsor: Velocity Clinical Research
- Platinum Sponsors: Edward Jones; Epic Paving, LLC
- Gold Sponsors: Blanchard’s Electrical; Easley Builders; The Wade Dean Company
- Silver Sponsors: Cajun Industries, LLC; Coburn’s Supply; ExxonMobil; LA Express; Petrin, LLC; Pointe Coupee General Hospital; TJC Group; Tony Clayton Injury Lawyers; Trade
- Bronze Sponsors: Barker Brothers Plumbing Works; Bayou Road Ace Hardware; Benedetto’s Market; Citizens Bank & Trust; Domino’s Pizza; The Greater Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce; Hubbens, Inc.; Landry Glass; Ourso Family; PC Electric; The Poboy House; Prairie Farms; Star Service Inc. of Baton Rouge; Turner Industries; Economical Janitorial & Paper Supplies
- In-kind Sponsors: The Balloon Bar; Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company; John Foster Benoit; The Cottonport Bank; Destiny Renee Photography, LLC; Brian Fourroux; KJ Sound Station; Mockler Beverage; NOEL Family Distillery; SNL Photography; Wes Watts
- Bar Sponsors: GIS; JEL Electrical; Jeremy Lacombe – State Representative; Performance Contractors
To become a CASA volunteer, applicants complete an application, background screening, 30-hour pre-service training, and courtroom observation before being sworn in by a judge. To learn more, visit www.casa18jdc.org or call 225.257.9558.