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| Walter Lashell Sr. & Kim Hebert enjoying Love Fest 2017 despite their situation |
Baton Rouge, La. – On Saturday, February 11, the SU Ag
Center’s Jaguar Leader (Jag Lead) Club, and Outstanding Mature Girlz (OMG) Club
served nearly 200 “Bags of Love” to homeless individuals under the Trevor J.
Sims Memorial Bridge. The club members traveled from St. Helena &
Tangipahoa Parishes to participate in Love Fest 2017 as part of the clubs
monthly service focus, which is knowledge. Club members were introduced to a
pressing issue that plagues the capital city, and that is homelessness. For the very first time students from both
parishes were able to witness what life looks like when individuals do not have
anywhere to turn for resources. Students
also conducted an interview with homeless, 41-year old, Walter Lashell Sr., to
gain knowledge on how someone could reach such deprived conditions.
Lashell said, “I moved here from Norfolk, Virginia,
and I lost my job. ‘People have a preconceived notion that we’re looking for
handouts, but I’m looking for a hand-up.”
Lashell also stated that he and his companion had only been residing
underneath the Trevor J. Sims Bridge for a little over a month, but he’s still
optimistic. Many club members were
shocked that Baton Rouge has such a huge homeless population, and discussed
ways they could become the voice of reason to help eradicate such awful conditions.
Kentwood High Magnet School (OMG) Club Member Marla Mcknight said, “I’ve
learned that homelessness can happen to anybody, sometimes even the educated
are affected.”
Love Fest is an annual celebration held on the second
Saturday in February. This event is essentially
used to help the homeless population take their minds off their temporary
situations for one day, while also helping them to seek solutions to put them
back on their feet. Club members also
passed out hygiene kits, and hand-crafted Valentine’s Day cards that simply
read, “I love you!”
For information on how to join a club, contact
Nicolette Gordon at nicolette_gordon@suagcenter.com
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