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Welcome to the home of
Tangipahoa
Volunteers
For Family And Community
We're glad you found us! We are a volunteer
community service organization working together
to serve the residents of Tangipahoa parish.
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2023-2024 TVFC Officers
President - Gloria Messenger
Vice President - Marie Heck
Parliamentarian - Sue Nelson
Secretary - Ann Bourliea
Treasurer - Karen Moran
Reporter - Pam Villagran
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Environmental Chairman - Jean Hebert
Membership/Marketing - Sue Nelson
Family Life - Donna Bouterie
Scrapbook - (open)
Literacy Chairman - Ann Bourliea
International Chairman - Kathy Brandon
Scholarship Chairman - Jean Hebert |
Dates To Remember
- April 4 - TVFC Council Meeting - 10 am at LSU Research Center. Bring a dish to share for potluck lunch to follow.
- * April 6 & 7 - LSU Spring Garden Show 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the New Orleans Botanical Garden.
Admission to the show is $12 for adults and $6 for children 5-12. Children under 5 years old and Friends of City Park members receive free admission.
- April 13 - Strawberry Festival Scholarship Ticket Booth - 10 am to 5 pm at Strawberry Park
- April 16 - Convention in Houma
- April 22 - Volunteer Appreciation Proclamation at Parish Council Meeting; 5:15 at Parish Council Center in Amite
- April 24 - HIW Crafts Day - 10 am at Gwen Domiano's house
- April 25 - Coffee & Donut Social - 1:30 pm at New Beulah Baptist Church in Hammond. Bring a prospective new member!
*Events marked with * are LSU Ag Center sponsored events, rather than TVFC events.
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On November 30, 2023, TVFC held their annual Christmas luncheon at Middendorf’s Restaurant in Manchac, LA. Fourteen club members attended the event along
with three guests. One of the guests was Deputy Susie Cambre with the Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office. During the event, TVFC President, Gloria Messenger, presented
Deputy Suzie with a check from WVFC to help fund Sheriff Edwards’ Christmas Crusade for Children. TVFC has donated to this worthy cause every Christmas for
several years. The Sunshine Ladies, a chapter of TVFC, also presented Deputy Suzie with numerous toys which had been donated by their chapter members for
the children.
Following the presentations, Scholarship Chair, Jean Hebert, asked Deputy Suzie to draw a name for the club’s annual raffle. This year’s prize was a beautiful quilt
made by club Parliamentarian, Sue Nelson. The lucky winner of the quilt was Bonnie Guidry of Beaux Bridge. The funds raised from the raffle go to support TVFC’s
scholarship fund. Each year, TVFC awards one Tangipahoa high school senior with a $1000 scholarship to apply towards his/her college expenses.
This year, members of TVFC once again participated in Samaritan Purse’s annual Operation Christmas Child International Project. TVFC has adopted the operation
as their annual international project each year for the last several years. The goal of the project is to bring Christianity to children all over the world through the gifting
of shoe boxes to needy children. The boxes are filled to overflowing with items the children can use and/or enjoy, and Samaritan Purse adds a pamphlet with an
introduction to Christianity to each box.
In early November, both chapters of TVFC met with their prospective club members to assemble their shoe boxes. A few members could not meet with the other
members, either due to living out of town or some other reason, so they put their own box together to donate. Altogether, TVFC assembled and donated 91 boxes.
Among the items included in the boxes were school supplies, toothbrushes, hair brushes and barrettes, small toys, and costume jewelry. On November 14th,
members Ann Bourliea, Gwen Domiano, Maureen Felder, Sheila Gagliano, and Jean Hebert delivered the shoe boxes to River Fellowship Church in Hammond which
is Samaritan’s Purse’s designated collection site for Tangipahoa Parish.
On October 12, 2023, TVFC had their final council meeting of the year. After calling the meeting to order, TVFC President, Gloria Messenger introduced three surprise
guests, men from the Order of Hibernians. This is a philanthropic group of men of Irish decent. The President of the Order of Hibernians, Dr. Martin Kearney,
explained that the main purpose of his organization is to help fund local volunteer groups who are providing much needed services to the community.
Dr. Kearney along with his two fellow members, Mr. Bruce Caliva and Mr. Ronnie Crimmins, commended the ladies of TVFC for all of the hard work they do
throughout Tangipahoa Parish. Then, Dr. Kearney presented Ms. Messenger with a donation check in the amount of $500 to be applied to whatever volunteer
project the club chose to use the funds for.
L to R: Dr. Martin Kearney, Gloria Messenger, Bruce Caliva, Ronnie Crimmins
Last Friday, October 20, Sunshine Ladies hosted their monthly Bingo game at the Hammond Nursing Home. This month's game had a Halloween theme, of course,
and all our ladies wore Halloween themed shirts or outfits. After the Bingo games, we raffled off stuffed animals and hand-crocheted throw blankets to the residents.
Each resident then received a goodie bag along with their snacks. The residents as well as our volunteers get a kick out of the themed Bingo events, and everyone had a "spook-tacular" time!
Sunshine Ladies also donated several bags of adult diapers to the home for the residents' use. This is one of our many on-going community projects.
We host Bingo here monthly, and make it as enjoyable as we can for the residents.
Pictured below are Sunshine Ladies members Ginny Shartle, Anita Murray, Malinda Sanchez, Sheila Galiano,Marie Heck, Freda, and President All Bourliea, kneeling in front. The second picture is some of the items donated to the nursing home for the residents use.
This year marked our 40th year of our Holiday Ideas Workshop fundraiser, and we were very pleased with this year's event. There was a demonstration of easy holiday wreath ideas given by one member, and a
demonstration of canning techniques and equipment by our former 4H Extension agent. The event had lots of great gifts for the Parade of Prizes, a fine lunch of jambalaya and white beans provided by the men
of St. Margaret's church, and lots of Bingo, of course!
Wednesday Volunteers for Family and Community (WVFC) held their monthly meeting on September 6th at the Tourist Center in Hammond. The meeting was called to
order by Vice President, Pam Villagran, due to the absence of President Donna Bouterie. At the end of the meeting, members put personal care items along with
personally written notes into 15 different gift bags. Afterwards, WVFC members, Gwen Domiano and Gloria Messenger, delivered the bags to SAFE to be distributed
to their women residents.
Pictured are Gwen Domiano, SAFE employee Kristi Giammolva, and Gloria Messenger.
Members of Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community (TVFC) traveled to Marrero, LA on July 19th to attend this year’s Louisiana Volunteers for Family and
Community Area One Fun Day. Area One consists of groups from three parishes: Jefferson, St. Bernard, and Tangipahoa.
The event was held at the Knights of Columbus
Hall in Marrero. It was hosted this year by Jefferson Parish Volunteers for Family and Community (JVFC). The theme was “Hidden Treasures” and the guest
speaker was Louisiana author, D.M. Bourgeois.
Pictured are Gloria Messenger, Sue Nelson, Jean Hebert, Mareen Felder
On July 18, 2023 Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community (TVFC) hosted an ice cream social at the New Beulah Baptist Church in Hammond. The purpose
of the event was to highlight what TVFC does for the Tangipahoa community and what the organization has to offer prospective new members. Guests were treated
to ice cream Sundays and homemade brownies. The event was planned by TVFC Membership Chair, Sue Nelson.
At the beginning of a short, informal program, Ms. Nelson welcomed all the guests and thanked them for coming. TVFC President, Gloria Messenger gave a
brief overview of what TVFC is all about. Ms. Messenger was followed by TVFC Reporter, Pam Villagran, who spoke about the club’s dictionary project. Then
Scholarship Chairperson Jean Hebert, spoke about our scholarship program.
Anita Murray then talked about the club’s Raise-A-Reader project. Then TVFC
Vice-President Marie Heck who talked about the club’s annual fundraiser, our Holiday Ideas Workshop and Bingo event. This event is open to the public and will be
on September 28th this year from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Ponchatoula.
After the program, TVFC Treasurer, Karen Moran, was on hand to assist several of the guests who chose to sign up as new members of TVFC.
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On June 22, 2023, members of TVFC along with four guests attended the club’s annual International Day Celebration at the LSU Ag Extension office in Amite.
Event co-chairs were Kathy Brandon and Gloria Messenger.
The Wednesday Volunteers chapter of TVFC chose to honor the country of Hungary for the event. Members dressed in the Hungarian colors of red, white, and black
and served Hungarian goulash, cabbage rolls, salad, and cookies. TVFC President, Gloria Messenger, invited guest Hungarian speakers, Royanne and Alex Kropog
to the event to explain and demonstrated some Hungarian traditions. Afterwards, Hungarian guest Vicky Mocsary led the group in singing some Hungarian songs.
The Sunshine chapter chose to honor the country of France and the French dishes they served were quiche, string beans, au gratin potatoes, chocolate silk pie, and
eclairs. For their chapter entertainment, Sunshine Ladies, Marie Heck and Ann Bourliea, directed a game of Pictionary using French symbols. Everyone who attended
the event had a wonderful time!
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On June 14, 2023 five members of Tangipohoa Volunteers for Family and Community (TVFC) and two of their guests attended the Jefferson Parish Volunteers for Family
and Community’s (JVFC) annual Bunco fundraiser at the Piccadilly Restaurant in Metairie, LA. TVFC member, Sue Nelson camein first place at the event and TVFC
guest, Janet Sappington, came in third place.
Anyone wanting more information about TVFC local groups can email TVFC president, Gloria Messenger, at ggmesenger1@gmail.com or Membership Chair,
Sue Nelson at suenelson41@yahoo.com.
TVFC held their third Council meeting of the year on May 30th at the LSU Ag Center in Hammond. The guest speaker was Damon Abdi, Assistant Professor of
Landscape Horticulture. Mr. Abdi spoke about plants and trees that are indigenous to Louisiana and their suitability to home and garden landscaping in the
Tangipahoa area.
During the meeting several topics were discussed including ongoing club projects such as the Raise-a-Reader project and the Scholarship project and upcoming
events such as the club’s annual International Day of Celebration which will be in Amite on June 22, a membership drive ice-cream social which will be in Hammond
on July 18, the annual Area One Fun Day which is being hosted by the Jefferson VFC in Marrero on July 19, Jefferson Davis VFC’s Christmas in July event in
Jennings on July 25, and the annual Holiday Ideas Workshop which will be in Ponchatoula on September 21. TVFC’s next council meeting will be in October.
On May 25, Tangipohoa Volunteers for Family and Community (TVFC) held their annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at Murphy’s Seafood Restaurant.
Co-Chairs for the event were Gwen Domiano and Pam Villagran. On behalf of Louisiana Volunteers for Family and Community (LVFC), TVFC President,
Gloria Messenger, presented members with certificates for being 2022 Community Champions. Ms. Messenger also presented certificates for Perfect Attendance
at TVFC council meetings in 2022, and certificates for being in TVFC for 5 Years or increments of 5 years.
Community Volunteer Chair, Maureen Felder, presented LVFC Community Volunteer certificates and/or seals to those members who performed at least 500 hours of
volunteer service to their communities and/or families during 2022. On behalf of TVFC, Scholarship Chair, Jean Hebert, presented the first of two checks to this year’s
scholarship winner, Jewel M Sumner High School senior, Emalee McCain, who plans to attend Northshore Technical Community College where she will be majoring
in nursing. Miss McCain’s mother, Tricia McCain, and sister, Kaylee McCain were on hand to show their support to Emalee for this achievement. Tricia McCain
was also a TVFC scholarship recipient 29 years ago.
To qualify as an applicant for the TVFC scholarship, a student must be a senior at a high school in Tangipahoa
Parish and have been accepted into a Louisiana college for 2023. The applicant must have also participated in his or her junior or high school 4H program. To be
chosen as a scholarship winner, the applicant must also have demonstrated strong academic and leadership qualities. Miss McCain was a member of her school
4H clubs for the last 8 years and served in several of the clubs’ officer positions including as President and Vice President. She also was awarded as one of the
top three female 4H members in the parish for six of the eight years she has been in 4H. LSU 4H agent, Dawn Culbreath was an honored guest at the event.
Ms. Culbreath spoke briefly about the different programs the 4-H organization offers student participants.
TVFC Parliamentarian, Sue Nelson, performed a short memorial ceremony for former TVFC member, Marie Swinney, who passed away in 2022. Ms. Nelson spoke
briefly about some of her fond memories of Ms. Swinney during her time as a TVFC member. Ms. Swinney was a member of TVFC for over 30 years. Former TVFC
member and close friend of Ms. Swinney, Mitzi Verberne, was an honored guest at the event representing Ms. Swinney’s family. Ms. Verberne also spoke briefly
about some of her memories of Ms. Swinney during their time as friends and as members of TVFC.
Pictured below are: 1) Scholarship Chairman Jean Hebert, scholarship winner Emalee McCain, and TVFC President Gloria Messenger.
2) Award recipients included: TVFC President Gloria Messenger, Sue Nelson, Wednesday Volunteers President Jean Hebert, Millie Meyers, Marie Heck, Sunshine Ladies President Ann Bourleia, Donna Bouterie, and Maureen Felder.
1) TVFC President Gloria messenger presents Anita Murray a grant from Louisiana Volunteers For Family And Community for our Raise-A-Reader program.
2) Sunshine Ladies Anita Murray, Malinda Sanchez, Marie Heck, and President Ann Bourliea, with long-time member Joyce Bourliea seated in front.
3) 50/50 winner Malinda Sanchez displays her winning ticket.
On April 18, 2023 seven members from Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community (TVFC) attended this year’s annual convention for Louisiana for Volunteers for Family and Community (LVFC). They were TVFC president, Gloria Messenger, TVFC treasurer, Karen Moran, TVFC parliamentarian, Sue Nelson, Jean Hebert, Betty Bankston, Donna Bouterie and Gwen Domiano.
The convention was hosted by the Jefferson Davis VFCin Jennings, Louisiana. TVFC won the award for most new members in 2022. They were also awarded a $100 grant to help fund their Raise-A-Reader program. The goal of the program is to promote reading at a young age. To do this, TVFC donates over one hundred gift bags
twice a year to thenursey at North Oaks Hospital. The nursey staff then distributes them to parents of the newborn babies. Each bag contains a picture book, information on the importance of reading to and with children, and a handmade burp pad loving sewn by TVFC members.
Several members of Tangipohoa Volunteers for Family and Community (TVFC) recently delivered 100 Raise-A-Reader packets to North Oaks Hospital. The hospital
nursing secretary, Linda Jo Kincaid, was on hand to receive the packets. Ms. Kincaid will deliver them to the hospital nursey where they will be distributed to the
parents of the infants in the nursery. Each packet contains a burp pad sewn by TVFC members, a stuffed animal, a picture book, and information on the importance
of reading to and with children.
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Pictured, left to right, are: Sunshine Ladies President Ann Bourliea, Linda Jo Kincaid, Marie Heck, TVFC President Gloria Messenger, Sue Nelson, Anita Murray, and Ginny Shartle.
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On April 18, 2023 seven members from Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community (TVFC) attended this year’s annual convention for Louisiana for Volunteers
for Family and Community (LVFC). They were TVFC president, Gloria Messenger, TVFC treasurer, Karen Moran, TVFC parliamentarian, Sue Nelson, Jean Hebert,
Betty Bankston, Donna Bouterie and Gwen Domiano.
The convention was hosted by the Jefferson Davis VFCin Jennings, Louisiana. TVFC won the award for most new members in 2022. They were also awarded a $100
grant to help fund their Raise-A-Reader program. The goal of the program is to promote reading at a young age. To do this, TVFC donates over one hundred gift bags
twice a year to thenursey at North Oaks Hospital. The nursey staff then distributes them to parents of the newborn babies. Each bag contains a picture book,
information on the importance of reading to and with children, and a handmade burp pad loving sewn by TVFC members.
Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community (TVFC) was once again happy to send two of our members to serve as judges for the annual 4-H Sewing and Fashion Show and Beef/Sugar Cookery events held recently at the Florida Parishes Arena. The attending members were Kathy Brandon and Gwen Domiano. Ms. Brandon served as the judge for the beef dishes, and Ms. Domiano served as the judge of the fashion entries. On behalf of TVFC, Ms. Domiano presented a pair of quality cutting scissors to the sewing and fashion winner, Miss Kai Sheng, whose entry was an apron. Miss Sheng attends Oaks Montessori School. Knowing how to sew is a homemaker skill that will carry through a lifetime, and TVFC was proud to award this young lady with the scissors to aid in her future projects.
TVFC Treasurer, Karen Moran, was also on hand at the event to sell raffle tickets for a nine patch garden quilt which is the club’s 2023 raffle item. This beautiful handmade item was made, quilted, and graciously donated to the club by TVFC member, Sue Nelson and her daughter, Lisa Munchausen. Tickets for the quilt are available now until December 1, 2023. The ticket sales support the club’s Scholarship Fund which is used to award a $1,000 college scholarship each year to a graduating high school senior from Tangipahoa Parish. For more info on our scholarships or to buy tickets, call TVFC’s scholarship chairperson, Jean Hebert, at 504-259-1412.
At the January Council meeting, members Sue Nelson and Betty Bankston showed off the quilt we will be raffling this year for our Scholarship program.
The squares were made and donated by Sue's niece, then Sue put it all together. Even the back of it is beautiful! Tickets are $1 each, and 100% of the
proceeds go to our scholarship fund! To get your tickets, contact any member!
Our first Council Meeting of the new year was held Jan. 19 at the LSU Ag Center. Pam Villagran was installed as our new reporter, as she was unable to attend the officer's installation
at our Dec. 1 Christmas meeting. Some dates were decided on, including International Fun Day, holding HIW in the fall this year, and Operation Christmas Child as our International project again this year.
Sue Nelson showed off the quilt that was made from squares donated by Lisa Munchausen to be raffled off for our Scholarship fund this year.
Now that all the Covid restrictions have been removed and life is getting back to normal, we are looking forward to a great year! After the meeting was adjourned,
members enjoyed a light luncheon provided by the new officers.
PAST PROJECTS
Take a look at some of our many community projects!
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About Tangipahoa Volunteers
For Family And Community
Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family And Community is the all-volunteer arm of the LSU Ag Center Extension Service.
The LSU AgCenter and LSU provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the LSU AgCenter will make reasonable accommodations to enable persons with disabilities to engage in programs offered.
Should you need an ADA accommodation, please contact our office at 985-748-9381 no later than 2 weeks before your accommodation is needed.
We work with the LSU Ag Center Extension Service in many ways to help families in our community. Together, we assist with promoting and judging the 4H programs, and various health and nutrition
projects. Each year we also offer a college scholarship to a graduating senior from our Parish who has participated in 4H programs.
Formerly known as Homemaker's Club, TVFC has been in existence as long as the Extension itself. We are part of a state-wide organization originally formed in 1936.
Our purpose now is the same as it was then: to serve and strengthen families in our community. We help serve the people of Tangipahoa Parish with programs encompasssing
Family Life, Literacy, Environmental, and International Projects.
Tangipahoa Parish is one of 15 parishes that belong to the statewide organization, Louisiana Volunteers for Family and Community. TVFC now has two branches, Sunshine Ladies and Wednesday Volunteers.
Sunshine Ladies meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month at 10 am, either at a member's home or a local restaurant. And as their name suggests, Wednesday Volunteers meet on the first Wednesday of the month.
We would be glad to welcome you to any of our meetings as our guest so you can learn about some of our projects. Send us a message or call the LSU AG Center
Office at 985-748-5462 if you would like further information! |
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