Community Foundation of Acadiana celebrates local philanthropists

Community Foundation of Acadiana’s fifth annual Leaders in Philanthropy Awards Luncheon was held Tuesday at the Cajundome Convention Center.
The event celebrated outstanding philanthropists from eight parishes across Acadiana who have made a positive impact in their communities: Charlotte and Joe Freeland, Acadia Parish; Kermit and Sheila Miller, Evangeline Parish; Johnny & Cathy Indest, Iberia Parish; Paul Hilliard, Lafayette Parish; Pat and Alice Morrow, St. Landry Parish; David Buck, St. Martin Parish; Sylvia and Fulton C. “Butch” Felterman Jr., St. Mary Parish; and Paul Patout and Patrick Patout, Vermilion Parish.
This year two Corporate Awards were presented to Cabot Corporation and Van Eaton & Romero, LLC, a Latter & Blum Company. These Acadiana companies have a long history of supporting many great causes in the community. Short videos detailing the philanthropic nature of each awardee were shown at the luncheon. The event also featured keynote speaker Jim Parker, former CEO of Southwest Airlines and author of “Do the Right Thing: How Dedicated Employees Create Loyal Customers and Large Profits.”
Nominations for Leaders in Philanthropy Awards were submitted by the public and winners were selected by foundation’s Board of Directors Emeriti.
“We are very proud to showcase the generous spirit of Acadiana by recognizing these outstanding citizens from each parish,” said Raymond J. Hébert, president and CEO of the foundation. “They are an inspiration and a reminder of the difference we can all make when we give back to our communities.”
The foundation is now accepting nominations from the community for the 2016 Leaders in Philanthropy Awards. Please visit www.cfacadiana.org/2016LIPNominations to submit a nomination for your parish. The deadline to submit is Dec. 9. Contact Erin Winder, communications and development director with questions. She can be reached at ewinder@cfacadiana.org or 337-769-4842.
Community Foundation of Acadiana’s core purpose is to connect all generous people to the causes they care about. The foundation is South Louisiana’s premier philanthropic organization benefitting the region, with a particular focus on the parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion. The foundation has realized cumulative gifts exceeding $156 million and has made cumulative grants of over $79 million. Learn more at www.cfacadiana.org.