SHINING LIGHT FOUNDATION                                                                           

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD: Tuesday, February 28, 2024 at 6:00 pm

LOCATION:   Live Oak Wealth Advisors, 1042 Camelia Blvd, Suite 11, Lafayette, LA

ATTENDEES: 
Dr. Carolyn French, President

Cynthia Dauphin, Vice President

Bruce Snow, Treasurer                                                                          

Sandra Wilcox, Secretary   

Rose Hoffman Cormier

Kerry Douglas

Mike Huber

Michelle Luquette

GUESTS:  Norma Guidry - VITA, Julius Mittog

Our guest speaker was Norma Guidry with Volunteer Instructors Teaching Adults (VITA).  She has been with VITA for over 20 years.  VITA serves Lafayette, Opelousas and surrounding parishes.  Some of the students are professionals.  They offer High School equivalency test preparation classes, ESL Classes, One-to-one tutoring.  Norma distributed the flyers and brochures.  If anyone is interested or knows of someone who can volunteer the phone number is 337-234-4600.  Website:  www.vitalaf.org

On motion from Bruce, seconded by Michelle, the minutes of meeting held 12/12/2023 were approved.

Treasurer’s Report as of 1/31/24

$  2,786.73 Beginning Balance 8/1/2023

$  4,452.50 Scholarships

$     632.47 Expenses

$  6,344.53 Donations

$         5.12 Interest

$ 4,051.41 Ending Balance

$87,431.13 Invested

$     675.00 Escrow

Financial Advisor’s review - Account Balance 2/28/2024 is $94,329.00.  Estimated income is $2,100 per year. 

Old Business

Marietta LaBauve distributed Shining Light brochures to the schools.

We paid the P O Box Rental fee of $176.00.

New Business

1)     We received a $1,000.00 donation from Bill and Ande Hakeman on 1/25/2024.  

2)     Kerry Douglas suggested Catholic Charities of America.  The Children’s shelter is in need of underwear, socks, shampoo, and diapers.  She made a motion to request a $250.00 donation from The Shining Light Foundation.  The board members unanimously approved.

3)     The program of physical fitness in schools, SPARK! is doing well.  Shining Light purchased the first heart monitors for the program and now the Superintendent of Schools is on board to buy monitors for a second school to implement the program. There might be more funding from COVID related programs.  Dr. Kip Schumacher is lobbying the Louisiana State Legislature to expand SPARK! to all schools in Louisiana. 

Scholarships:

The board members had previously approved via email the scholarships below for a French Cultural Trip to Canada from Myrtle Place Elementary

$ 250.00 – Genevieve Gravouia, 5th grade.  Parents to pay $1,000.00.

$ 250.00 – Thomas Trahan, 5th grade. Parents to pay $1,950.00.

$ 250.00 – Hadley Brevis, 5th grade. Parents to pay $2,205.00

$ 750.00 TOTAL

Meeting adjourned at 7:06 pm.   Next meeting date will be held on April 17, 2023, at Live Oak Wealth Advisors, 1042 Camelia Blvd., Suite 11, Lafayette, LA.  Refreshments at 5:30 pm.