By noon, the first batches of crawfish and fixings were available for purchase to the public and attendees of event. As the boiling continued Serendipity kicked off the event with live entertainment, followed by the one and only Tab Benoit.  As the rain passed, the crowd grew larger. Around 4 pm, Laci Melancon, Executive Director of CASA of Terrebonne, presented the Courville family with a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. in memory of Herman Courville who started the event 6 years ago. Amos addressed the crowd with how the boil off all started—with an idea by the late Herman Courville. “Looking back to the first year we did this event, I didn’t even know what CASA was; I just knew that Herman’s wife was a volunteer, and he wanted to raise money for the organization,” says Mosley. “This event has grown and will continue to grow with your support; as a matter of fact, we have already booked the Southdown Pavilion for next year’s event.” “If we can make a difference in the life of just one child by doing this for CASA of Terrebonne, we have succeeded in our goal,” says Mosley.

Afterwards, Amos Mosley, presented the winners of the boil off and began the live auction with items donated by local businesses and members of the community. In 3rd place was Cliff Pierce’s team; in 2nd place was Lance Lapeyrouse’s team; in 1st place was Greg Ward’s team.

 “No words can truly express my gratitude to the Courville family and Amos Mosley for all that they have done for our organization” says Melancon. “We are so blessed to have the support of our community in carrying out our mission—to advocate for abused and neglected children in Terrebonne Parish—the support is truly amazing!”

“We are in need of additional volunteers to advocate on behalf of our abused and neglected children in Terrebonne Parish,” says Melancon. “We have a summer volunteer training class starting in June, so we were hoping this event would bring community awareness to the need of volunteers since we have over 60 children on our waiting list without a CASA.” The event did just that. CASA of Terrebonne released 75 balloons into the sky on Saturday evening at 7 pm representing the children in foster care without a CASA on their case. Not only did the event raise $1160 for CASA of Terrebonne, but CASA received 4 applications for potential volunteers in addition to several others who signed up for additional information to become a volunteer. “We were so excited to do this for CASA” says Mylinda Francis of Starbucks. “We are already planning to host this event again next year.”

Representatives from Starbucks are collecting art work from local artists to be donated for a silent auction at the event. There will also be live music. The event will take place Friday, April 19, 2013 from 11 am to 2 pm and Saturday, April 20, 2013, from 5 pm to 8 pm at Starbucks of Houma (1731 Martin Luther King Blvd.). There will be a balloon release at 7 pm on Saturday, April 20 to raise awareness regarding child abuse. “We are in need of additional volunteers to advocate on behalf of our abused and neglected children in Terrebonne Parish,” says Melancon. “We have a summer volunteer training class starting in June, so we are hoping this event brings community awareness to the need of volunteers since we have approximately 60 children on our waiting list without a CASA.”

6th_Annual_Crawfish_Boilentryform.pdf

In addition, we are looking for sponsors for our event as well as volunteers. If you would like to be a sponsor or a volunteer, please contact our office at 985.876.0250 or casaofterrebonne@live.com for additional details.

Written by Nicole Wesley:

Many are there volunteers for the causes of the earth;
But those endowed by CASA rank foremost as first.
Valuable and priceless for the work that you do,
CASA volunteers are loyal, sincere, passionate, and true.
There is none other like CASA to offer one's service and dedication;
Devotion unto a cause that is unquestionably life changing.
Making selfless offerings of empathy and compassion,
Unto children thrust into a circumstance, and whom are often overflowing with sadness.
Yet, CASA volunteers remain a source of strength and stability,
Serving the children with immeasurable valor and outstanding efforts of durability.
No doubt, CASA volunteers are replenished by courage and strength from up above.
For how else could they fulfill their responsibilities with overflowing patience and Love?
To our CASA volunteers, thanks for ALL you have, are, and will do.
And may your reward for your service be great and overflowing unto you!

The 5th Annual Crawfish Boil-Off in memory of Herman Courville raised $34,847 for CASA of Terrebonne far surpassing the initial $20,000 goal set for this year. The event began early in the morning on Saturday, May 12th with the crawfish boil off teams setting up their boiling gear. By 11 am, the parking lot of Southdown Bar and Grill smelled like crawfish heaven. Some teams were so competitive that they were hiding their “secret” boiling ingredients. Greg Ward, who drove in from Alabama for the event, who also had a boiling team, stated: “the number one reason I am here is for the CASA kids…the other reason I am here is for Herman Courville, and I will continue to do this in his memory.”

By noon, the first batches of crawfish and fixings were available for purchase to the public and attendees of event. As the boiling continued and the band played, the rain clouds began to roll in. Despite the fact that there was about 6 inches of water in some areas of the parking lot due to the rain, the majority of the crowd stayed to support CASA of Terrebonne. As the rain passed, Amos Mosley, coordinator of the event, began the live auction with items donated by local businesses and members of the community. Upon completion of the auction, the sun began to shine, and Amos presented the winners of the boiling teams. In 3rd place was Wayne Cancienne’s team; in 2nd place was Ricky Melancon’s team; in 1st place was Terrell Theriot’s team. Each of the winning teams donated their prize money back to CASA of Terrebonne.

Amos wrapped up the event by acknowledging the Courville family and saying a few words in Herman’s memory. Jennifer Theriot, Herman’s daughter, stated: “when the sun came out right at sunset, it was like my dad was saying that we did a great job—sunset was his favorite time of day; it was his way of saying he was proud of us.” “This event was such a success despite the weather. No words can truly express my gratitude to the Courville family and Amos Mosley for all that they have done for our organization” stated Laci Melancon, Executive Director of CASA of Terrebonne.

BOOKS-A-MILLION on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Houma will host CASA of Terrebonne on January 28th and March 3rd to share our mission from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Not only that, there will be one register designated as the "CASA" register, where 10% of the day's sales will be donated to CASA of Terrebonne!  Make plans to come out on those dates to make your book or other merchandise purchases to help CASA serve children in foster care in Terrebonne Parish!  Bring a friend too!

    Judge Bethancourt presides over many different types of cases, including cases involving abused and neglected children in the foster care system. As adoptive parent himself, child welfare issues are of paramount concern in his court. As an avid supporter of CASA of Terrebonne, Judge Bethancourt faithfully addresses incoming CASA Volunteers at new volunteer training to ensure that they appreciate how valuable their role as a CASA Volunteer is to the children they serve. On hand at the event to accept the award on behalf of Judge Bethancourt, was Laci Melancon, Executive Director of CASA of Terrebonne. 

    The catered event, with nearly 200 in attendance, was hosted by Dr. John Wyble, Louisiana CASA Executive Director, and featured entertainment by local entertainers Tino Thomas and Eric Baskin. Assisting in presenting the awards was Jacqueline M. Wilson, Louisiana CASA Program Operations Director.  Secretary of State Tom Schedler, a CASA volunteer himself, made possible for the event to be held at the Old State Capital. 

    “Louisiana CASA is proud to honor the extraordinary work of ordinary people who commit to making a difference in the lives of children and families all over our state,” offered Dr. Wyble.

CASA of Terrebonne Executive Director, Laci Melancon, and Board President, Leo Pitre, presented Mrs. LeBouef with the $10,000 check on the morning of September 28th.  Mrs. LeBouef was generous in donating a portion of her winnings back to CASA of Terrebonne. 

Proceeds from the event will assist in the operations of the organization.  by selling all 300 tickets, CASA of Terrebonne raised over $20,000 from this event alone.  "The event was a great success, and it is very rewarding to know that there are so many people in our community who are willing to support our efforts in being the voice for the abused and neglected children in Terrebonne Parish" stated Laci Melancon.

Terry Braud with the Krewe of Terreanians presenting CASA of Terrebonne a generous gift of $1000.00

Ann Duplantis, Coordinator of "Center Stage," presenting CASA of Terrebonne a generous gift of $1000.00

Josefina Fondaw, CASA Advocate, Entrepreneur, and Rotarian, presented CASA of Terrebonne with a generous gift of $250.00

• 10/11/11 Orientation 6:00-7:00 pm
• 10/13/11 Chapter 1    5:30-8:30 pm
• 10/18/11 Chapter 2    5:30-8:30 pm
• 10/20/11 Chapter 3    5:30-8:30 pm
• 10/25/11 Chapter 4    5:30-8:30 pm
• 10/27/11 Chapter 5    5:30-8:30 pm
• 11/01/11 Chapter 6    5:30-8:30 pm
• 11/03/11 Chapter 7    5:30-8:30 pm
• 11/08/11 Chapter 8    5:30-8:30 pm
• 11/10/11 Chapter 9    5:30-8:30 pm
• 11/15/11 Chapter 10  5:30-8:30 pm
• 11/17/11 Swearing In Ceremony 4:45 pm

In order to attend this training you will need to submit a "Volunteer Application, " "Authorization of Release" form, and have a face to face interview with a CASA of Terrebonne staff member.  You can download the necessary forms from this website.

LACASA could receive $100,000 to further its mission to make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children.

Online voting will be from June 18, 2011 through August 6, 2011.  See attached fliers for more infomations about Louisiana CASA and details on how to help.

 Help CASA Win a Walmart Grant.docx

 Flier.docx

(Pictured below:  Merkle "Skipper" Kornegay, CASA of Terrebonne Volunteer and Board member, and Stacey Martin, outgoing Executive Director of CASA of Terrebonne.)

Dont miss out next year!  It is already schedule for May 12, 2011. and Amos wants it to be bigger and better!  Again, "Wow!"