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The great eminence of a second community venture to decrease the spread of Covid-19 was held on Saturday, December 12th. A joint effort of District A Councilwoman Gloria Kates, Louisiana Department of Health: Durand “Rudy” Macklin, Executive Director of Bureau of Minority Health Access (He is also Executive Director of Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness / Sports , and United Way of Southeast Louisiana, Melody Reed, Sr. Director Resource Development. (Much appreciation in contributing to the need and give-away of Covid 19 supplies.)

LDH COVID 19 Preparedness Kits were distributed by means of a drive-thru Give-Away to participating churches and individual citizens from Bogalusa and the surrounding areas at the Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church. Supplies given to the churches will be distributed by Pastor’s/Leader’s or their representative’s discretion to their members or non-members.

With the team masked up and socially distanced, We gave out 5,000 UW face masks (100 boxes-50 ct) and 1,680 LDH Covid 19 Protection kits (fifty-six boxes-30 ct: each kit contained contents of One (1) N95 Respirator Mask, 1 Tissue Packet, 2 pairs of gloves, 2 Disposable Thermometers, , 1 bottle of SaniPro Hand Sanitizer, and 6 Antimicrobial Towelettes)

Churches who participated include: Allen Temple COG, Antioch Baptist Church, Apostolic Faith United Pentecostal Church, Bethlehem Baptist Church , Bogalusa First Church, Christ Way Ministries, First Church of God in Christ, Fully Committed Ministries, God Seeking through Jesus Christ Ministries, Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church, Harry Chapel United Methodist Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses Hall, Love Outreach Church, Kingdom of God Church, Memorial Baptist Church, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Mount Bethel Baptist Church, Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Mount Moriah Baptist Church, New Hope Church of Christ Holiness USA, New Life United Pentecostal Church, New Triumph Baptist Church, New Zion Baptist Church (Jones Creek), Saint John Elizabeth Church of God in Christ, St. Paul AME Church, Salter Chapel AME Church, Second Baptist Church, St. Matthews Episcopal Church, Sweet Beulah Baptist Church, Thirkield United Methodist Church , Turner Chapel (Rosalind), Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church, White Hall Baptist Church, also, recipients were District A Neighborhood Association for our Youth. Over 200 citizens received Face Masks and Covid-19 Protection kits interchangeably while supplies lasted. Note: Eight 8 of these churches were distributed supplies at at a shared site on Saturday evening and on Monday afternoon,, December 14,2020)

Again, to no avail we would not have been successful without the untiring service of invaluable volunteers: Mr. Timothy Burris , Mrs. Shondra Causey, Mr. Tony Laurent, Ms Marilyn Lott and Greg, Mr. Joel Miller, Sr., Ms. Regina Powell, Mr. Pat Rhodes, Mrs. Stephanie Roberts Yarbrough, and Mr. Larry Brown . Also, Special Detail of Church Supply Distributors: Ms. Cheryl Baptiste, Mrs. Hazel Harrington, Mr. Malcolm Powell. Ms. Emma Sibley, and Mrs. Darlene Wilkerson; Gratitude is extended to Rev. Dr. Raymond E. Mims. Sr. for providing the venue of the Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church Parking Lot to pick up supplies; Ms. Marilyn Lott GEBC Administrator in providing on-site assistance; Mr. Larry Brown, District A Neighborhood Association Director in providing tables and chairs; Mr. Justin Brown in providing a hearty breakfast feast; Mr. & Mrs. TD and Gloria Kates in providing transport of supplies, tents, and photographers & videographers; Supporters Chief Moody and Chief Ladner of the Bogalusa Fire Dept; and All local media for Public Service Announcements of this community event.

Although the 7th Annual District A Christmas Give-away with Santa event sponsored by Councilwoman Kates was cancelled due to Covid-19 conditions. To God be the Glory in this project ‘s success. Happy Blessed Holidays and Stay Safe.

This article was submitted by Gloria Kates, who is the Bogalusa City Council member for District A. Per her request, this submitted story was run as received and without editing.