National Hurricane Museum and Science center Receives 1 Million Dollars in Gifts
Entergy and State Farm co-hosted an event last month to present checks of $500,000 each to the National Hurricane Museum & Science Center (NHMSC). This $1,000,000 will go a long way in reaching the center’s fund raising capital contribution target to build this one-of-a-kind education center along the shoreline of Lake Charles. The National Hurricane Museum & Science Center’s mission is to tell the story of the impact of hurricanes on the people, land and economy of the nation. State Farm and Entergy share the Center’s goal of educating the public on the importance of hurricane preparedness and the urgency of building storm-resistant communities. Mr. Phillip R. May, President and CEO of Entergy Louisiana, along with state Senator (La – Dist.27), Ronnie Johns, CEO of Ronnie Johns State Farm Insurance Agency, and State Farm Vice President Agency-Sales, Mark Cockerham of Baton Rouge, each spoke at the check presentation event held at the proposed site adjacent to the Lake Charles Civic Center. Each leader challenged the corporate and community leaders in attendance to join them in their support of this NHMSC project. “At Entergy we recognize that preparation for tomorrow begins today,” said Phillip May, CEO and President for Entergy’s Louisiana utilities. “Our $500,000 donation to the National Hurricane Museum and Science Center will provide the necessary building blocks to take on that challenge and provide our communities with new protective technologies to help better predict and weather storms.” A strong advocate of the project, Senator Johns of Sulphur, said, “At State Farm we have known first-hand, along with the residents of all of Louisiana, the devastation brought about by coastal storms and hurricanes. These storms have had an immeasurable impact on the lives of coastal residents, as well as an impact in the multiplied billions of dollars on state and national economies. This Museum and Science Center will be an important education piece going forward.” State Farm’s Mark Cockerham said, “I want to commend Chairman Stream, the NHMSC Board, and Senator Johns, as well as many others, for January 2015
their vision and dedication to bring the National Hurricane Museum and Science Center into being. Education, awareness, a better understanding of building models and storm resistant construction, as well as a better understanding of some of the natural risks and challenges inherent for coastal communities, are just some of the needs this effort will help address.” Today’s two donations become part of the $38 million raised to date to build and open the facility. In the 2014 session of the Louisiana legislature, lawmakers approved over $28 million in funding support for the National Hurricane Museum & Science Center (www.NHMSC.com). “Our board members realized early on that, in
order for this project to be a success, we needed these two powerful corporations’ stamps of approval, to lend their iconic brand names to the National Hurricane Museum & Science Center” said Gray Stream, Chairman of the NHMSC Board of Directors. “Entergy and State Farm employees live and work with communities on a daily basis, and are always at the front lines when storms strike all over America. Who better to lead and help tell the preparedness and recovery story than these two giants? We believe with this type of continuous outpouring of support, we will soon see this Center built right where we are standing today,” Stream concluded.
THE INSTITUTE FOR NEUROPSYCHIATRY Welcomes Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
The physicians and staff of the Institute for Neuropsychiatry are proud to welcome Catherine Udofia, APRN, FPMHNP-BC, to our clinical staff. Originally from Tyler, Texas, Catherine has over six years of healthcare experience, three of which are in the mental health field. Her credentials include: • Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Texas at Tyler • Master of Science in Nursing – Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from University of Louisiana at Lafayette • Served as Charge Nurse of Psychiatric Inpatient Unit and Dual Diagnosis/ Chemical Dependency units for four years • ANCC Board Certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Catherine is now accepting new patients. Call 477-7091 for an appointment or to make a referral.
2829 4th Avenue #150, Lake Charles Thrive Magazine for Better Living
(337) 477-7091 www.thriveswla.com
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