VooDoo works on barbecue, too
January 7, 2014
Carla Bernard Sapia
January 8, 2014
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national day of service considered a “day on, not a day off,” volunteers can participate in a service project to strengthen their community with the Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity.
Volunteers can expect to arrive on Jan. 20 at one of Habitat for Humanity’s undecided construction sites in Thibodaux, or a neighborhood in Bayou Blue funded by Jon Bon Jovi and the Oprah Winfrey Angel Network Foundation.
Aimee McLafferty, volunteer and assistant ReStore manager for Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity, said volunteers do not need any previous construction experience, but are required to be older than 16.
The event in previous years attracted approximately 20 volunteers to assist with various Habitat projects, and McLafferty expects more volunteers this year with an increased interest from high school clubs and other organizations.
The Terrebonne Parish NAACP Youth Council will hold its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 19, at 5 p.m. at Dumas Auditorium in Houma.
Diana Collins, youth director for Terrebonne NAACP, said this year’s theme is “There is but one race, and that is the human race.”
“I tossed around several ideas with everything going on in the world, and this year’s theme makes sense since we are all the same people,” she said. “When I look around I don’t see race or color, I see humans.”
At Sunday’s youth program, there will be performances from several youth choirs and a message delivered by Corey Gray, a student at Ellender Memorial High School.
On Monday, the youth council will also host a prayer meeting starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Houma Courthouse Square, followed by a march to Dumas Auditorium, scheduled to start at 10 a.m.
The adult chapter of the NAACP will host the closing ceremony for Martin Luther King Jr. weekend at 1 p.m. with Rev. Howard Smith from Resident Baptist Church.
Starting Friday, there will be a fair with rides, games and food hosted at Dumas Park, which will last through the weekend.
The Lafourche Parish NAACP will host a march from Martin Luther King Park in Thibodaux beginning at 10 a.m. on Jan. 20. The march will end at St. Luke’s Community Center with a ceremony including speakers, praise dancers and gospel singers immediately following.
Dr. Gregory Maidoh, a local kidney specialist, will deliver the keynote address at this year’s event, and Joe Fuller, director of Minority Affairs with the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, will also address the crowd.
The MLK Day of service allows communities across the United States to revive the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s commitment to community action and social problems.
“On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that strengthen communities, empower individuals, bridge barriers, and create solutions,” according to the MLK Day Service Network and Corporation for National and Community Service.
Volunteers work together on the construction of a roof at a previous Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event.
