SHINING LIGHT FOUNDATION                                                                           

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD: Tuesday, August 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   

John Broussard

Tanya Cormier

Kerry Douglas

Cheryl Evans

Mike Huber

Marcie Jacquet

GUESTS: Brad Gros, Nick Saloom – Healing House

Brad told us about their grief support groups, school-based support groups, community-based tragedy response groups and coping kits. Healing House is the only organization in the State of Louisiana that focuses on helping those who are grieving. On motion made by Mike Huber and seconded by John Broussard, The Shining Light Foundation Board unanimously approved a $500.00 donation to help their efforts. John suggested they contact KRVS radio show for an interview.

Byron Reyes gave us an update on SPARK! It is having an amazing impact and improvement on LEAP scores among the participants who are working with heart monitors that were provided by Shining Light. He expects the program to expand to more schools this year.

On motion from Bruce, seconded by Kerry, the minutes of meeting held 5/29/2024 were approved.

Treasurer’s Report as of 8/13/24

$ 4,189.35 Beginning Balance 8/1/2024

$ 142.00 Scholarships

$ 0 Expenses

$ 0 Donations

$ 0 Interest

$ 4,047.35 Ending Balance

$96,572.63 Invested

$ 675.00 Escrow

Financial Advisor’s review - Account Balance 8/27/2024 is $103,308.04.

Year End Financial Recap:

$2,786.73 Beginning Balance 8/1/2023

$5,952.50 Scholarships

$ 796.72 Expenses

$7,844.53 Donations

$ 6.54 Interest

$3,888.58 Ending Balance

$98,567,07 Invested

$ 862.59 Escrow

Old Business

We received a $1,000.00 donation Josephine Ennis Gray in memory of Dr. Don Ennis our former board member. We received thank you letters from Faith House for our prior donations.

New Business

Cynthia reported that Shining Light was granted permission to share the SLF brochures. The new Superintendent in Lafayette Parish is Francis Touchet, Jr.

Scholarships:

Milton Elementary - Aaron McNeely, 7^th Grade $71.00 for class fess. (Previously approved)

Milton Elementary - Katherine McNeely, 3^rd Grade $71.00 for class fees (Previously approved)

Milton Elementary – Marlee Barras, 2^nd grade $51.00 for class fees.

Milton Elementary – Mason Moore, 5^th grade $65.00 Clarinet – see UPDATE below.

S. J. Montgomery – Bradon Crosby, 5^th grade $187.50 for Trumpet, care kit, and accessories.

Evangeline Elementary – Christopher Deamer, 5^th grade $243.75 for Saxophone, reeds, book, care kit.

The board unanimously approved the funding of the scholarships. Sandra will send the approval letters and notification to the School Counselors.

UPDATE: We received an email from Milton Elementary Counselor Ali Cantrell that Mason Moore was able to secure funding elsewhere and did not need the scholarship from Shining Light.

Meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm. Next meeting date will be held on September 18, 2024, at Live Oak Wealth Advisors, 1042 Camelia Blvd., Suite 11, Lafayette, LA. Refreshments at 5:30 pm.