Hero Name: Nancy Marcantel

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
Nancy's work with ARF. read more...

Hero Name: Bonnie Hession

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
Bonnie Hession started a movement. It's called Keep the Faith. She finds people who need prayer or help and then Bonnie goes to them and offers a Keep the Faith token, but more than that she offers her prayers and concerns. I came to know about her when my dad was near death in the hospital. He was visiting me when he got sick and knew no one other than my family in the area. Bonnie's visit affected him in such a positive way. It uplifted him and boosted his spirits. I will always be grateful to her for that,... read more...

Hero Name: St. Bernard/ St. Francis Food Pantry

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
It is an honor to nominate the St. Bernard / St. Francis Food Pantry “Eye Glass Program” which is a non-profit, faith based non-sectarian, equal opportunity organization. This program is run by an all-volunteer staff providing food and eye exams and glasses to those St. Martin Parish residents that qualify. This eye exam / voucher program is the only resource available to the needy in the parish.
In order to qualify people for the Food Pantry eye exam / glasses services, the volunteer staff... read more...

Hero Name: Randy Hopper

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
I have known Randy and his family for about 10 years plus. I first met Randy through Harley Club. At the time he was just getting to know everyone but once he really got into the Club he took off from there. He started working with MDA slowly but as the years passed he really poured his heart and soul into the organiziation. Not only does he gives his time working with the Club for MDA, but he gives a week of his vacation to go to MDA Camp. He is on the Board of MDA but he truly loves the kids. Recently, he... read more...

Hero Name: Jason Bland

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
In 2005 Jason Bland was in a horrific auto accident which landed him in a coma for 6 days. In the accident his right leg was severely injured. After a year due to pain and infection the decision was made to amputate his leg. Depression as well as alcohol and substance abuse ensued until Jason had an epiphany and decided to turn his life around. He received treatment for his addictions and developed a relationship with a church. In February of 2007 he started an organization entitled Acadiana Amputee Support... read more...

Hero Name: Kim Bourgeois

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
My friend, Kim Dupre Bourgeois, lost her only son, Ryan Blake Dunn, on July 16, 2010. Through her grief, she has been helping other parents who have lost children, to deal with their own grief. She envisioned a walking park to honor her son's memory and to share with others, where they could go to meditate, reflect and pray. This place is called Pathways of Hope. She has accomplished so much in the last few months, the pond has been dug, the pathways have been paved and she is putting landscaping down as... read more...

Hero Name: Joe Hebert

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
My father (now 77) is an amazingly gifted and generous man. For 55 years he 's been whole heartedly donating his time to providing musician and entertainment for all local nursing homes. Being a musician and a Christian man all his life this is how he gives back. By puting life and giving the elderly fun and happiness through his music. His talent and amazing good spirit is a must see how the elderly look forward to seeing him play. They alway come alive and dance some even attempt to sing, they really get... read more...

Hero Name: Jeanie Casanova

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
Jean became aware of the terrible conditions that animals lived in when brought to the St. Landry Parish Animal Shelter when she went to adopt a kitten at the end of 2013. The cramped, dirty, unhealthy conditions made the animals there sick and miserable, so they were then put down because they were not seen as good adoption candidates. She knew that visibility, donations, and volunteers could make a huge improvement on the quality of life and adoptability of these animals. She began Friends Underwriting Rescues... read more...

Hero Name: Tim Marks

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
I would like to nominate Tim Marks for Acadiana’s local hero. I feel that Tim is deserving of this title because of the contributions he makes to the Opelousas community. Tim has been leading the Gumbo Cook-Off at Frank’s in downtown Opelousas for the past seven years now. He also organizes several other benefits in our community such as The Wildgame Cook-Offs, Rock the Block, Perfectly Seasoned Cook-Off, and several other benefits. When Tim is not organizing benefits he is participating as an armature... read more...

Hero Name: Audry Spencer

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
I would like to submit Audry Spencer as Acadiana's Local Hero. Audry is retired from the public school system in Acadia Parish after having taught elementary children for over 30 years. As a teacher, she noticed the failure of so many of the Crowley children to meet educational standards to move on the next grade. After praying about this, she decided to do something about it. She began the non-profit- Empowering the Community for Excellence. The mission of the program is to tutor underprivileged students who... read more...

Hero Name: Becky Prejean

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
Ms. Becky is a true living and breathing angel on earth. As a woman who has a biological family of her own, she also has many "dream families". Once a child and their family is met, she along with other members of DCT keep in touch with each family long after the "dream" is granted. Each and every one of them truly becomes "family" to her. She works out of her home, car, etc. whatever may be required as this job keeps her on the roads throughout Louisiana in order to see that each dream is granted to that very... read more...

Hero Name: AustinX Gaspard

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
Vermilion 4-Hunger Awareness is this year’s theme for the Vermilion Parish 4-H Jr. Leader Club’s Service-Learning Project. The teen leadership club, made up of 8th-12th grade 4-H’ers, boasts 150 members. Every year the Vermilion Parish 4-H Jr. Leader Club Officers meet to select their service project for the coming year. After much brainstorming the officers selected hunger awareness as their focus. The officers wanted to select a service project that would provide “hands-on” opportunities and allow... read more...