2014 MLK Award winner almost didn't show

Beatrice “Bea” Allen, 81, of Eunice, almost didn’t go to the City of Eunice’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at the Southeast Neighborhood Center. She said it was “too cold” to get out that day.
After a close friend begged her to enjoy the MLK festivities, Allen relented. Though she agreed to not attend the MLK parade on Sunday, Mrs. Allen was finally convinced by her close friend to attend the Martin Luther King Committee service– where it was announced that she was selected at the winner of the MLK Award of 2014.
Bea said that she was “shocked” and “surprised” when she heard her name announced by last year’s MLK Award recipient.
“It was nice and I was glad,” said Bea. “But I was just so surprised.”
According to the 2013 MLK award winner, Judy Frank, one of the reason’s Mrs. Allen was chosen as this year’s award-winner was due to her fund-raising efforts at St. Matilda Catholic Chuch.
Mrs. Allen said that she described herself as a retired fund raiser for the church. She said that she was once the cook and delivery driver for hungry folks in need of Thanksgiving dinners and the church’s annual BBQ dinner sale.
“My husband is sick and I can’t get around like I want,” said Allen. “When you’re delivering food, you’re out a long time. And Because I sell a lot, it makes me work all evening. I can’t do what I used to do. All I can say is that I thank the ladies that gave me this award, but I was really just surprised.”