Town of Kentwood Public Officials Serving Flood Victims

Mayor Irma T. Gordon
Town of Kentwood 

Thousands of residents of Tangipahoa Parish were affected by flood waters this past weekend. Tangipahoa Parish is just one of the nineteen parishes that has been declared a natural disaster area by the federal government. 

Several people loss their life and thousands loss their homes and­― all their material possessions. This past March some people who live on the North End of the Parish had to seek shelter from the flood. Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller said that about 5000 homes in the parish were flooded this past March. 

Today the Town of Kentwood elected officials, town employees and volunteers gave out clothes, cleaning supplies, shoes, personal items to people in need. Mayor Irma T. Gordon was there with Councilman Gary Callahan and  Chief of Police Michael Kazeronni issuing the items and water.

Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

I made one call to Constable Lemmie Chapman III and asked him to pick up some items to bring to the center. He didn't hesitate to come by and get the cleaning supplies. Our elected officials are truly public servants and the people of Kentwood really appreciate all the services they provide. 

All the volunteers worked so well organizing everything for the people. The community came together to help others in need. Many volunteered their time and other made donation to the town for today's distribution. The items were neatly organized on the tables outside and other donations was steadily coming in. Talking with some of the people who had loss what little they had since the last flood brought tears to my eyes. Most people are coping with the loss again months later. "What makes it a little easier is knowing that others cares!" And they're willing to help.

Town of Kentwood Elected Officials Serving the People
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

All She Wanted Was A Front Porch

Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Laura Coleman went blind in her early childhood. She later contacted the measles and lost her hearing. I can't imagine being blind and deaf. That what Laura face every day of her life. There is over 50, 000 deaf people that live in Louisiana.  In 2014 the Tangipahoa Parish 911 Center began using Smart911 for people who are hard of hearing. I'm starting to  researching programs that can help Laura have a better quality of life.  It will provide me the  opportunity to learn about the resources that's offered to people like Laura who live in Tangipahoa Parish. 

Laura's sister Ruthie stomps her feet when she wants to get Laura's attention. Laura feels the vibration for the floor and she knows that Ruthie is trying to get her attention. Ruthie promised her mother on her dying bed that she would take care of Laura and that is exactly what the entire family does. 

Her sister and niece told us how Laura likes to sit on the front porch and get some fresh air.  She hadn't been able to do that because the front porch had deteriorated and the family had to take it down due to safety reasons. During an interview with her sister Ruthie, I asked her what would she like to see a change in her home? "I would like to a front porch for my sister Laura," said Ruthie; she can't come outside and sit on the front porch like she use to. I guess I was still in shock that all she wanted was a front porch for her blind and deaf sister. 

I walked over to talk with  Wessam Albadry documentary and social photography photojournalist to tell him what her request was and he said he would help. The other volunteers all said that they would help out. Volunteers from the Town of Kentwood and San Francisco, California immediately started brainstorming to see what they could do to help. Some people donated the funds for materials and other donated their time and skills to build Laura a front porch.

Constable Lemmie Chapman III didn't hesitate to help. He picked up the supplies at the local hardware to build the porch for someone with special needs. Other came along and gave him a helping hand. The men in Coleman Place came after work to help.  It was strange to see Wessam put down the camera and pick up work tools to help build  Laura a porch. I'm so happy for Laura now,  she  can sit outside and enjoys the fresh cool morning and evening breeze.

Thank you, Constable Chapman, Wessam Al-badry, Wallace Gilmore and the other volunteers that to give Laura a front porch. Your kindness and generosity made a difference. It couldn't have happened without people like you.

During an interview with Constable Chapman, you could see the tears in his eyes after watching Laura come out and sit on the front porch. He made a difference in someone's life who really needed it. Although this home is out of his district but helping them was in his heart. We're  proud to have caring people like him and all the volunteers who served others.

Constable Chapman believe in being a public servant to his community. He has been in office less then two years but he is making a great impact on the community.  One more heart was gathered through this mission and we are here to help those in need.

Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Left: Wallace Gilmore, Ruthie Coleman and Constable Lemmie Chapman III.








Copyright © 2016 by Antoinette Harrell

Love Fellowship Outreach Ministries Service Kentwood and Surrounding Areas

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr

Helping others in need is what Love Fellowship Outreach Ministries does. Pastor Mathew Ware spent several weeks collecting food, clothes, and other items to drive nine and a half hours to service the needy in the Town of Kentwood, the Village of Tangipahoa, Fluker, Natalbany, Amite, Louisiana. Love Fellowship Outreach Ministries has partnership with Gathering of Hearts to service people in the Mississippi Delta and now they have across the state line to Louisiana. Traveling with two other pastors, his lovely wife, daughter and nephew.

They have provided furniture, shoe, clothes, toys, food, appliances and other items to people in their own community. But their love and support had no boundaries. They brought enough supplies to service over a hundred and sixty people in all communities combined. Although he and his ministries had help Gathering of Hearts for several years, this is the first time that the volunteers and ministries met Harrell, the co-founder of Gathering of Hearts.

Pastor Ware and Pastor Walter Tyrone. 

In the Town of Kentwood, he was greeted by Gathering of Hearts, Mayor Irma T. Gordon, Councilwoman Irma Clines, and Lemmie Chapman III, Constable of Ward 1. The people made a line and picked up their items with smiles and appreciation written on their faces. Everyone was mindful to take only enough supplies for themselves and leave some for others.

Kentwood was the first stop. They then traveled to the Village of Tangipahoa and gave out donations their. Mayor Brenda Nevels and Parish Councilman Nick Joseph greeted the ministries. Everyone was very pleased with the donations they received. After leaving the Village of Tangiphaoa they loaded truck once again to services St.Helena Parish, with bags left over for Maben, Mississippi.

Other partners helped with making this give away a success. We would like to thank the Tangi Democrats for their support and kindness render as well. Harrell has been invited to come and speak to their ministries on poverty in Granite City, Illinois.

Gathering of Hearts would like to thank Doris Lloyd for service the Tickfaw/Natalbany community and Glynis Vernon Gordon for servicing Amite, Louisiana. This is what outreach is all about helping others in your community.

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr,