The executive director of the Robert “Bob” Hicks Foundation said on Friday that the grant application to preserve and repair late Civil Rights leader Robert “Bob” Hicks’ family home was approved by the National Park Service Historic Preservation through the State Division of Historic Preservation, Office of Cultural Development.

Foundation Executive Director Barbara Hicks-Collins said the ultimate goal of the Foundation is to transform the home at 924 E. Robert “Bob” Hicks St. into the Bogalusa/Washington Parish Civil Rights Museum.

The home is on the National Register of Historic Places. The designation came in January, when a plaque was placed in front of the home.

To repair the home, the Hicks Family must match the grant dollar for dollar. The home needs plumbing, complete rewiring and roofing.

The Foundation has had a number of fundraisers in efforts to see their goal realized. The latest fundraiser is billed as “An Evening of Elegant Dining” at 7 p.m. on June 27 at the B&C Hall at 139 Cumberland St. Dress is semi-formal. Tickets to the event are $50 per person in advance and $55 at the door. The ticket includes a four-course dinner.

“We have to raise funds because the Foundation is fairly new,” Hicks-Collins said. “We’re asking the public to come out and support our effort.”

Hicks-Collins said there are various ways the public can contribute to the effort. She said the public can either attend the fundraiser or simply donate. Donations can be sent to the Robert “Bob” Hicks Foundation at 2682 S. Columbia Road, Bogalusa, LA 70427. For additional questions, Hicks-Collins can be reached at 504-237-4656.

“I am pleased that the state and