South Louisiana Flood August 2016

Relief Efforts

Louisiana residents have always pulled together in times of need, and this will be no exception.

Heavy rains and flooding have battered a number of parishes in South Louisiana, and in true Louisiana fashion a large number of organizations have stepped up to provide assistance.

To help flood victims, you can donate to the United Way of SWLA online at www.unitedwayswla.org or by texting FLOOD2016 to 41444, or you can donate to the American Red Cross online at www.redcross.org/donate, or to the Salvation Army online at http://salar.my/gulfcoastfloods.

Non-perishable food items and online contributions can be made to Second Harvest Food Bank.

Register to volunteer at www.volunteelouisiana.gov. 

The United Way of SWLA is also collecting community donations at 815 Ryan Street in Lake Charles. 

Louisiana1 Flood Relief Concert Planned to Benefit Louisiana Communities Devastated by Recent Floods

Lake Charles, LA—On Sunday, August 28 from 1 to 10 p.m., Sean Ardoin and a large number of his musician friends will co-host a concert to benefit the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, United Way of Southwest Louisiana, and Music Cares. Funds raised will be used to assist recovery efforts in Jefferson Davis Parish and specifically Lake Arthur, Louisiana. The flood relief concert will be held in the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum, located at 900 Lakeshore Drive.

"I wanted to help out the people whose lives have been totally derailed by this flood. I don't have a boat, so I can't be a part of the Cajun Navy. I'm not too good with my hands so I wouldn’t be of real assistance in rebuilding. But I can play music, and I do have friends that play music, and so I began reaching out to ask them to help,” said Ardoin. “I wasn't surprised that people were willing to help, but I was shocked at how fast the ‘Yes’ came. Together we have put together a concert to benefit the flood victims."

Other featured artists, musicians and bands include Chris Ardoin, Jo-El Sonnier, Hotline, Rusty Metoyer, Flamethrowers, The Kadillacs, Mickey Smith, and Three37 Band. Ardoin added the list is growing by the day. To stay up to date on the performers and other details, visit the event’s Facebook page “Louisiana 1 Flood Relief.”

Admission is $20 for adults; youth age 13-17 get in for $10; and children age 12 and under are free. Those who wish to volunteer are urged to visit the event’s Facebook page to sign-up. Media partnerships and business sponsorships are available by contacting Ardoin at (337) 540-8399 or Jimmie Richard at (337) 244-0871.

Donations will be accepted the day of the concert, made payable to United Way of Southwest Louisiana. Please include in the memo line: Louisiana1 Flood Relief Concert. All donations are tax-deductible (Tax ID# 72-0456901).