Super Cooper

This year’s Super Cooper 5K Run, held in Houma on March 29, raised $14,000 to assist parents with children in Terrebonne General Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The money will be used to pay for lodging costs, gasoline, phone cards and medicine not covered by insurance for qualifying parents. “That way, families can focus on their baby and not have to worry about bills,” said John Fontenot, who started the run. Social workers will assess the needs of parents. In addition, care packages containing such items as baby wipes, diapers, and baby cloths will be given to all parents. Fontenot’s son Cooper was born with a severe heart defect in 2004, and underwent successful open-heart surgery. Fontenot started the run in 2005, expanding it to Houma last year. Pictured are Remy Fontenot, Ashley Fontenot, John Fontenot and Cooper Fontenot with Phyllis Peoples, president and CEO of Terrebonne General.

Staff photo by MIKE BROSSETTE