Hero Name: Phyllis Berberich

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
Mrs. Phyllis Berberich deserves to be an Acadiana Hero for many different reasons. I have been a coworker and friend of Mrs. Phyllis for over 20 years. Mrs. Phyllis gave 33 years to teaching students. After retiring from teaching, Mrs. Phyllis looked for something to do that would feel like she was still giving back. Many retirees, after teaching that many years, are ready to relax and do something for themselves—NOT Mrs. Phyllis. She began volunteering one day a week in the LeBlanc Elementary Library as a library clerk. This kept Mrs. Phyllis still interacting with children and providing assistance in a large school library. rnMrs. Phyllis’ faith has always been a HUGE part of her life. In 2015 “something” called her to take on a mission that not too many people would want to tackle. She was told of an idea to take old wedding dresses and create burial gowns and support for families who have lost an infant. She interviewed hospitals and did research to see if this type of service was readily available in our area—it was NOT, so Mrs. Phyllis began providing this service to these families in crisis. Since its creation this idea has grown to have a website, Facebook account, and a non-profit organization status in which is called Steps to Heaven. Even in Mrs. Phyllis’ personal life, when her house flooded in August 2016, she had wedding dresses safe and secure ready to be worked on. rnVolunteering at the library and creating infant burial gowns were still not enough. Mrs. Phyllis heard of a need that local hospitals had for “Cuddlers”. Hospitals needed people to rock babies in the NICU because of drug addiction, lack of families, families not able to visit for one reason or another, etc. Mrs. Phyllis felt the desire to add this to her already busy “retired” life. So each week she visits the NICU at Women’s and Children’s to cuddle and rock babies in need of LOVE. She has told me many times that this is her favorite part of her week. Just to rock and cuddle these innocent babies puts everything into perspective. During her time in the NICU, Mrs. Phyllis noticed that some tiny babies didn’t have baby gowns to fit them. She brought this idea to her Steps to Heaven ladies, and they decided to sew gowns for premature babies that cannot fit in items purchased in retail. All a family has to do is ask for assistance and Mrs. Phyllis and her ladies step into action to try and ease the challenges that these families are going through. rnA hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Mrs. Phyllis is definitely someone who has courage to accept a challenging mission and make the BEST out of it. Without Mrs. Phyllis and her outstanding achievements many families would not know where to turn when they are faced with tragedy. Mrs. Phyllis deserves to be an Acadian Hero!

Hero Name: Edna Robinson

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
My grandmother workef hard to keep the crowley cemetery looking good for msny years and use a lot of her own money

Hero Name: Brian Campbell

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
Dr Brian Campbell is the head of the Kinesiology department at ULL, not only instructing students but helping them achieve their career goals by spending time with them, listening to them, counseling them, guiding them, training them, and mentoring them. Kinesiology is a career dedicated to helping people and no one displays this better than the "Doc". His time is not only spent helping individuals but He is the director of Impact Acadiana, which is a non-profit organization that significantly impacts higher education, community outreach, and cancer research. He donates his time and services to this group, which not only helps hundred of people but provides scholarships for many students at ULL. He also coordinates an auction consignment program that allow charities and organizations, from around Acadiana, to use this storehouse of goods to make a significant impact on their organization from their unique supply of memorabilia. rnrn If that were not enough already, he also helps other charities donating his time and expertise as a consultant helping them raise money for their causes. He then volunteers his services for them by emceeing their benefits, as well as being an auctioneer at the events raising thousands and thousands of dollars for other charities. Some of these charities are: Faith House, Big Brothers and Big rnSisters, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Special Olympics, Jimmy Rane Foundation, Kevin Faulk Foundation, Tri DeltarnSaint Judes Auction, Cajun Comedy for a Cause, Driven to Give, 337 Families Helping Families, Bowling for Causes, and Granger Memorial Scholarship Fund.rnrnHe also has a love and passion for the people of Acadiana donating his time emceeing sporting events snd sport programs such as announcing Delcambre High School football games, The baseball banquet at LSU, Dining on the Diamond for Ross, Lafayette Little League, Ragin Cajun Athletic Celebration, Chitimacha Louisiana Open, and Opelousas Sports and Fitness Expo.rnrnHis volunteering extends to schools around Acadiana helping with events at Grand Coteau, Sacred Heart Academy, Southside High School, Backers clubs for Erath, Kaplan, and Delcambre, as well as the ULL School of Kinesiology Awards, Banquet, and Auction and even helping in the arts department at ULL for their Beau Arts Ball.rnrnrn His involvement with the people of the surrounding areas of our community continues aa he also volunteers his time and energy to Abbeville Rotary, Vermillion Chamber of Commerce, Heart of Atchafalaya Spring Fest, El Festival Espanol in New Iberia, Iberia Chamber of Commerce, and emceeing for Krewes of De Mystical Waters and De La Renascence Mardi Gras Balls.rnrn His over the top generous donation of his self-sacrifing time reflects a heart and soul that is committed to serving others. He takes every opportunity to bless, help, encourage, and raise money for the less fortunate at every possible place. This quote from one of the founding fathers of religious faith, John Wesley, sums up Brian Campbells life well: rnDo all the good you canrnBy all the means you canrnIn all the ways you canrnAt all the times you canrnAs long as ever you can

Hero Name: Robert Johnson, Sr.

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
Pastor Robert Johnson, Sr. deserves recognition as an Acadiana Hero because he strives to be involved in and improve the Lafayette Community. He has established the IMPACT Ministry about six years ago. This ministry meets every second Saturday of the month to prepare and pass out bag lunches, water, hygiene items, and clothes, and blankets in the winter time to those in need. During the 2016 floods, the ministry met several times to distribute hot food to those that were cleaning out their homes and cases of water, diapers, and other items to those living in local motels and hotels. During the flooding that occurred in other parts of the State, the ministry acted as a drop off point for flood buckets and then drove to the affected areas to distribute the buckets. There is hardly ever community rally, pray vigil, walk, gathering, or panel discussion that Pastor Johnson is not present at and actively involved in. Pastor Johnson has taken it upon himself to really assess the needs of Upper Lafayette by going on ride alongs with Law Enforcement to see for himself what kinds of issues people in the community are facing.

Hero Name: Robin McMillan

Why this finalist deserves the title "Acadiana Hero"? 
When Robin’s mother, Rosa McMillan, passed away in 2004 of cancer, Robin wanted to find a way to honor her memory. She was a single mom, her husband died while she was pregnant with Robin; working as a registered nurse and raising Robin and her 4 older brothers. Christmas was always such a special time for Rosa and she did whatever she could to always make it special for her children. After her death, Robin was left with a huge void in her life, never having children herself she needed a way to keep her mom’s love of children and giving alive. With much thought and consideration she was advised to contact the Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana and in 2005 she formed a non-profit organization called Rosa’s Angels. That first year Robin adopted 100 kids whose families could not afford to provide Christmas for their children. Robin then set out to play “Secret Santa” to these children….using much of her own funds and recruiting some from her friends and bar patrons (McMillan’s Pub) she was able to deliver new, wrapped presents to the Boys & Girls Club’s Christmas party that year. Since its inception Rosa’s Angels has grown year after year…..last year alone we provided Christmas to somewhere in the neighborhood of 320 children and hoping to hit 400 this year. The program has grown to include providing each child with a complete set of clothing….pants, shirt and shoes, in their size….along with at least 3 of the top items on their wish list, which is provided to us from the administrators with The Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana and this year Vermillion Parish is to be included also. With all of this being said I feel that Robin’s organization would be so deserving of being chosen as an Acadiana Hero recipient….she is always looking for ways to “pay it forward” and is also involved in many other community charitable events. She is a member of the Lafayette Rotary Club and is very involved in the Blue Monday Mission organization, which helps raise money for aging musicians in our community just to name a few. The funds she would receive from your program would go far in helping to provide a Merry Christmas to several needy children. She starts shopping the week after Christmas for the next year with several stores on board she gets call year round and picks up bargains at close-out sales and special deals given only to her to help her cause, but every penny counts and is hard to come by, so please consider Robin McMillan and Rosa’s Angels for your award…..as she is an angel in the flesh herself!!