In the spirit of helping one another at Christmas-time, Sunshine Ladies adopted a family in our parish that needs a little help this year. The family was selected from Ms Madi Mulberries Thrift Shop in Pumpkin Center. The family includes a woman and her unborn baby, a teenager, and three younger children. We determined the needs, then our members did all the shopping and wrapping, and then delivered the gifts to Ms. Madi's on Friday, December 13.
We gifted the mother with new maternity tops and jeans, personal toiletry items, some Christmas decorations for the home, and a Walmart gift card. For the soon-to-be infant, we purchased baby clothing and diapers, baby toiletries, and infant-safe rattles. We purchased new clothing and personal gifts for the children, including a digital drawing tablet, fishing pole, and 3D puzzles. Each child also got a person throw blanket, and a $25 Walmart gift card.
Pictured below are the gifts we donated. Making the delivery are members Sandra McConnell, Freda Arbogast, and Malinda Sanchez.
TVFC is happy to announce the winner of their Scholarship Fundraiser Raffle for 2024. This year, the prize was a $250 dollar Walmart gift card, and the lucky winner was Bryan Shartle.
Mr. Shartle is the son of TVFC and Sunshine Ladies’ club member, Ginny Shartle. On November 25, 2024, TVFC Scholarship Chair, Jean Hebert, presented the prize to Ms. Shartle who accepted
it on behalf of her son.
TVFC is very thankful that they were able to offer the gift card as their raffle prize this year largely due to the generosity of the Hammond Walmart store. TVFC conducts a fundraiser raffle each year
to support their scholarship program which offers a $1000 scholarship to a Tangipahoa Parish graduating high school senior. Applications are available in all of the Tangipahoa high schools, in the
4-H handbook, and at the LSU Ag center in Amite.
On November 6, 2024, several members of WVFC gathered at the home of club secretary, Gloria Messenger to stuff shoe boxes provided by Samaritan’s Purse with various
items for young girls as part of the international organization’s Operation Christmas Child project. Each member also wrote a personalized greeting card and included it in the
box that she assembled. Most of the items that were put in the boxes were purchased in advance by Ms. Messenger and paid for by the club. Also included in the boxes were
jump ropes handmade by members with woven strips of T-shirt material.
On November 22, 2024 Ms. Messenger along with members Gwen Domiano delivered the boxes to The River Fellowship Baptist Church in Hammond. The church is one
of Samaritan Purse’s designated drop-off sites for the project in Tangipahoa Parish. WVFC has been participating in this project for several years as part of their International Committee
activities.
Front row: Donna Bouterie, Cecilia Miller, Susan Melancon, Sharon Miano, Gwen Domiano
Standing - Jamie McDonald, Maureen Felder, Kathleen Hayman, Jean Hebert, Cathy Vilardo, Karen Moran, Sue Nelson, Betty Bankston, Millie Meyers, Julie Desselles, Pam Villagran, Gloria Messenger
Not Pictured - Karen Acuna, Lynn Garro, Ethel Gilless, Jean Johnson, Ann Marie Kenney, Lauren Moore, Carla VanVrancken, Beverly Webre
The second picture shows Karen Acuna, who is a member of WVFC but lives in another state, with her shoeboxes.
TVFC held their last Council meeting of the year on November 14th at the LSU Research Center in Hammond. Fourteen members of TVFC and four guests attended the event. Pastor Gary Chapman and his wife, Tara Chapman of Baton Rouge, LA were invited by the club’s International Chair, Susan Melancon, to be the guest speakers for the meeting. The couple presented a slide show highlighting the work they have done through their mission project, “Hope for Honduras.” They, along with other members of their church, have been making regular trips to a small community in Honduras for the past sixteen years. Their mission on these trips is to assist the people there with whatever projects they need help with. On behalf of TVFC, Ms. Melancon presented the couple with a suitcase filled with fifty back packs, and pencils, pencil sharpeners, glue sticks, notebooks, and crayons to go in each of the back packs. The donation of the school supplies to “Hope for Honduras” was TVFC’s International Project for the year.
After the presentation, the nominating committee chairs, Sue Nelson and Anita Murray, installed the new officers for the next two-year term, from 2025 to 2027. They will be Gloria Messenger for President, Marie Heck for Vice President, Ann Bourliea for Secretary, Sharon Miano for Treasurer, Pam Villagran for Reporter, and Sue Nelson for Parliamentarian. (Ms. Heck, Ms. Bourliea, and Ms. Nelson were not present at the meeting, so they will be installed at the January meeting.) Following the installation, Ms. Messenger recognized the new Educational Committee Chairs for the new term. They will be Gwen Domiano for Family Life, Jean Hebert for Environment, Susan Melancon for International, and Ann Bourleia for Literacy.
At the end of the meeting Scholarship Chair, Jean Hebert, drew for the winner of the club’s annual scholarship benefit raffle. This year, the prize was for a $250 gift card. The lucky winner was Brian Shartle, who happens to be a relative of one of the club’s members. Following the meeting, members enjoyed a delicious holiday potluck dinner.
Members of Tangipahoa Volunteers For Family And Community met on Tuesday, November 12, to deliver Raise A Reader packets to North Oaks Medical Center for the maternity ward. Raise A Reader is one of our on-going projects to boost literacy by encouraging parents to read to their infants and children.
TVFC has two clubs, the Sunshine Ladies and Wenesday Volunteers For Family And Community. Each club made and donated 100 packets. The packets contain baby
items, including burp pads made by our members, and brand new story books. Sunshine Ladies made an additional donation of coloring book, crayons and colored pencils,reading books, stuffed
toys, and colorful pillowcases for the children's unit.
Pictured below are TVFC President Gloria Messenger, Anita Murray, Nursing Secretary Rachel H., Ginny Shartle, Freda Arbogast, and Kathy Villard.
On October 23, 2024, seven members of TVFC traveled to Baton Rouge to attend LVFC annual Mini College. This year, the one day event was held at the Burden Museum and Gardens. There were several programs with interesting topics presented throughout the day; two of which were: “Women’s Self Defense,” presented by Deputy Susie Cambre from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office and “Protecting Yourself from Scams” presented by Det. Lt. Michael Shard from the St John Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Jean Hebert, Sue Nelson, Betty Bankston, Gloria Messenger, Gwen Domiano, Sharon Miano, Julie Deselles.
| | Det Lt. Michael Shard with the St John Parish Sheriff's offfice and Deputy Susie Cambre with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office
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On Friday, Nov. 18, members of Sunshine Ladies, one of the two branches of Tangipahoa Volunteers For Family And Community, delivered a total of 60 adult sized bibs to two area nursing homes after hostessing our regular monthly Bingo game at Hammond Nursing Home.
Presdent Ann Bourliea, Freda Arbogast, and Shelia Gagliano went to Belle Maison and delivered the bibs to Kayla, the Office Manager. She was very interested in our organization and impressed with everything we do for the community! Then these ladies went to Heritage Manor and delivered the bibs to Brenda Watts, the Activity Director, and Shawn Bottorff, Activity assistant! They took the time to speak about their activities and ways that Sunshine Ladies may be able to assist with some of them.
Every fall, Sunshine Ladies is proud to give out free dictionaries to third grade students in Oaks Montessori School, Mater Dolorosa Catholic School, and Independence Leadership Academy. This is one of our Literacy projects each year, along with our Raise-A-Reader program. President Ann Bourliea, Marie Heck, Anita Murray, and Malinda Sanchez delivered a total of 108 books to these three schools.
Each year during the fall, members of WVFC make visits to two elementary schools in Tangipahoa Parish to present dictionaries to the third-grade students and their teachers. WVFC purchases the dictionaries each year through a nonprofit national organization called the Dictionary Project. The WVFC conducts various raffles and fundraisers earlier in the year in order to raise funds for the purchase of the dictionaries as well as to support their other volunteer projects. Occasionally, they will receive a donation from a generous donor to put towards the purchase of the dictionaries.
Ms. Bouterie and committee member, Ethel Gilless, met at Ms. Villagran’s home on September 27th to put labels in all of the dictionaries. The labels read “This dictionary was donated by Wednesday Volunteers for Family and Community to assist you in becoming an active reader, a skillful writer, and a creative thinker.” On October 9th, Ms. Bouterie and Ethel Gilless, delivered dictionaries to the third graders and their teachers at Midway Elementary School, and Ms. Villagran along with help from members Jamie McDonald, Sharon Miano, Julie Desselles, and friend Gail Calderone delivered dictionaries to the third graders and their teachers at Eastside Magnet Elementary. Before passing out the dictionaries to the eager students, the ladies gave a short presentation on how to access information in the dictionaries. A total of 230 dictionaries were given out by WVFC in all.
On September 19, 2024, TVFC held their annual fundraiser Holidays Ideas Workshop Event at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Ponchatoula, LA. Co-chairs were TVFC President, Gloria Messenger and TVFC member, Gwen Domiano. Both ladies were very pleased with the success of the event which was evidenced by a great turnout. Attendees were able to participate and enjoy several fun activities including Bingo, two craft demonstrations, a hands-on craft activity, Parade of Prizes, a 50/50 Raffle, and a raffle for a $250 Walmart gift card which will benefit the club’s scholarship program.
There was also a craft sale with numerous holiday items made by the club members. A hot lunch and dessert were served midway through the event. All proceeds will be used by the club to fund their various community projects throughout the parish for the upcoming year.
On July 20th, 2024, members of TVFC along with a three guests attended the club’s annual International Day Celebration at the LSU Ag Extension office in Hammond.
The event chairwoman was Susan Melancon and her two co-chairs were Ann Bourleia and Gloria Messenger. Prior to the event, each chapter picked a country to honor.
This year, Wednesday Volunteers chose the Philippine Islands and the Sunshine Ladies chose Italy.
To kick off the event, Ms. Melancon directed a fun game depicting
an imaginary flight to the two countries. In the game, members could only board the imaginary plane if they correctly answered questions related to traveling. To honor
their chosen country, members of Wednesday Volunteers were dressed in hats and other island inspired attire and served food customary to The Philippines including,
egg rolls, pork pancit, steamed rice with coconut milk, won ton soup, Filipino adobo, and flan cake. Several of the dishes were made by one of the club’s own members,
Cecilia Miller, who is from the Philippines. For their entertainment they held a hat contest and invited a guest speaker, Mia Levert, who is also from the Philippines and is
a food blogger specializing in Philippine food dishes. Ms. Levert presented a slide show with information and pictures about the history, foods, and traditions of the Islands.
Afterwards, Ms. Miller briefly described how the authentic Filipino hat she was wearing and the purse she was carrying were made by hand in her native country.
To honor their country, the Sunshine Ladies wore red, green, and white colored clothing to represent the colors in the Italian flag and prepared such dishes as spaghetti and
meat balls, garlic bread, and tiramisu. For their chapter’s entertainment, their president, Ann Bourliea, listed numerous interesting facts about Italy’s history, culture and
people and directed a word search game with Italian related words. Then member, Anita Murray, directed a game of Pictionary using Italian themed words. Everyone who
attended the event had a wonderful time and wholeheartedly proclaimed that the event was a huge success!
On June 20, 2024 eleven members of Tangipahoa Volunteers for Family and Community (TVFC) traveled to French Settlement, LA to attend this year’s Louisiana Volunteers for
Family and Community Area One Fun Day event. Area One consists of VFC groups from three parishes: Jefferson, Livingston, and Tangipahoa. This year, the event was at the
St. Joseph Catholic Church in French Settlement and was hosted by Livingston Volunteers for Family and Community (LVFC).
The theme for the event was “Fifties Rock and Roll,” and there was a contest for the best themed outfit. Donna Bouterie was the only TVFC member to participate in the contest,
but the competition was stiff. While Ms. Bouterie did not walk away with the prize this year, there’s always next year!
Seated L to R - Pam Villagran, Donna Bouterie, Malinda Sanchez, Sandra McConnell
Standing L to R - Julie Desselles, Gwen Domiano, Beverly Webre, Karen Moran, Sue Nelson, Jean Hebert, Maureen Felder
On May 16,TVFC held their annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. This year, the event was at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hammond. Co-Chairs for the event were Gwen Domiano and Gloria Messenger. There were several honored guests at the event including LSU 4-H agents, Angela Myles and Cassie Faunce, LSU Ag. Center Administrative Coordinator, Melissa Ordoyne, LSU Ag. Nutrition Educator, Donna Landry, and Tangipahoa Parish Chairwoman, Whitney Wallace.
On behalf of Louisiana Volunteers for Family and Community (LVFC), TVFC President, Gloria Messenger, presented a certificate for a LVFC Mini Grant to TVFC’s Raise-A- Reader Project Chair, Anita Murray. The Mini Grant was awarded to TVFC specifically for its R-A-R project during their state convention last month. Ms. Messenger also presented LVFC Community Champions certificates to qualifying TVFC members and certificates to members who have been in LVFC/TVFC for 5 years or increments of 5 years. Ms. Messenger presented the Membership Chair, Sue Nelson, with a special certificate for having been in LVFC/TVFC for over 50 years. Last but not least, Ms. Messenger presented certificates to those members who had Perfect Attendance at club meetings in 2023.
On behalf of TVFC, Scholarship Chair Jean Hebert, recognized this year’s award recipient, Klinton “Rilee” Sharkey, who is currently a senior at Jewel M Sumner High School in Kentwood, LA. The scholarship funds Rilee will be receiving are earmarked to go towards his college expenses at Southeastern University where he will be majoring in Sports Management. Rilee gave a brief speech thanking TVFC members and shared his future aspirations. Rilee’s mother, Kylee Sharkey, was on hand to show her support for her son’s achievement. Rilee was a member and past Vice President of his 4-H Club, member of FFA, BETA, FCA, Project STEPP/SADD, as well as a member of Jewel M Sumner’s baseball team and participated in various community activities.
TVFC Vice President Marie Heck, performed a short memorial ceremony for former TVFC member, Sharron Clelland, who passed away in 2023. Ms. Heck spoke briefly about some of her fondest memories of Ms. Clelland during her three year membership with TVFC.
1) Klinton "Rilee" Sharkey and Scholarship Chairman Jean Hebert.
2) TVFC President Gloria Messenger and 50+ year member Sue Nelson.
3) R-A-R Chairman Anita Murray and President Gloria Messenger.
Coffee & Donuts Social Membership Event
On May 25, 2024, TVFC hosted a Coffee and Donut 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 we have to offer prospective new members. The event was planned by TVFC Membership Chair, Sue Nelson. Ms. Nelson welcomed and thanked all the guests for coming. She asked Joyce Fogleman, who is the wife of the preacher of New Beulah Baptist Church, to bless the food.
After everyone enjoyed coffee and donuts, Ms. Nelson introduced Donna Bouterie, who is the president of Wednesday Volunteers for Family and Community (WVFC). WVFC is one of two chapter clubs in TVFC. The other club is the Sunshine Ladies. Ms. Bouterie gave a brief description of the kinds of projects WVFC is involved in, and then turned the program over to Marie Heck, the secretary of Sunshine Ladies, who did the same for her club. Ms. Heck was followed by Scholarship Chair, Jean Hebert, who spoke about TVFC’s scholarship program, and Anita Murray who spoke about the club’s Raise-A-Reader project.
President Gloria Messenger wrapped up the program with an overview of the club’s structure. Afterwards, guests were given the opportunity to become a member.
Pictured below are President Gloria Messenger and Membership Chairman Sue Nelson, enjoying the coffee and donuts at the Social.
National Volunteer Week
On April 22, 2024 eight members from TVFC attended the Tangipahoa Parish Council Meeting in Amite. At the meeting Tangipahoa Parish President
Bobby Miller made an official proclamation designating April 21 to April 27, 2024 as National Volunteer Week. Afterwards, he presented TVFC President
Gloria Messenger, with a proclamation certificate recognizing the club for the countless hours of volunteer work they do throughout the year for the people
of Tangipahoa Parish.
Pictured are Sue Nelson, Donna Bouterie, Betty Bankston, TVFC President Gloria Messenger, Parish President Robbie Miller,
Gwen Domiano, Susan Melancon, Jean Hebert, Councilman David Vial, and Julie Desselles.
On April 16, 2024 nine members from TVFC attended this year’s annual state convention for LVFC. They were President Gloria Messenger, Treasurer Karen Moran,
Sue Nelson, Pam Villagran, Jean Hebert, Betty Bankston, Donna Bouterie, Gwen Domiano, and Susan Melancon.
Ms. Messenger is also the Recording Secretary for the state organization, Louisiana Volunteers For Family And Community. Ms. Moran is the Literacy Chair for
LVFC.
The convention was hosted this year by the Terrebonne VFC and the event was at the Bayou Black Recreation Center in Houma, LA. During the convention
there was a short memorial service for all LVFC members who had passed away during 2023. and former TVFC member, Sharon Clelland was honored at that
service. New TVFC member, Susan Melancon was chosen as the recipient of the First Timer’s Award.
TVFC was 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 the nursey 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.
| Pictured below are Scholarship Chairman Jean Hebert, TVFC President Gloria Messenger, and Gwen Domiano manning the table selling tickets for our Scholarship raffle. |
| Gwen Domiano, Karen Moran, Pam Villagran, Sue Nelson, Gloria Messenger, Jean Hebert, Susan Melancon,
Betty Bankston, and Donna Bouterie. | | TVFC Member Susan Melancon won the First Timer's Award. |
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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