Our Chamber CEO recently traveled to Monroe to participate in their Chamber’s congressional update luncheon featuring Sen. John Kennedy, where she participated in the presentation of a $182,425 check to officials from the Boys and Girls Club of Louisiana.
The funds were raised from proceeds remaining from the annual Economic Development Luncheon at Washington Mardi Gras.
Sen. Kennedy chose the Monroe Chamber and the St. Tammany Chamber to co-host this year’s luncheon in conjunction with the 75th Washington Mardi Gras. “The luncheon’s goal is to celebrate business in Louisiana,” said Roy Heatherly, Monroe Chamber CEO. “A tradition that began a few years ago is that any proceeds from the lunch, anything we have left over, go to the chair’s charity of choice.” As the 2024 Chair of Washington Mardi Gras, Sen. Kennedy selected the Boys and Girls Club of Louisiana as his charity. The $182,425 donation was a record amount.
Lacey Osborne stated that the 2024 Economic Development Luncheon was the first time two chambers hosted the event, and that together, the two chambers upgraded the event. “We made a lot of changes and were able to seat about 200 more people than any previous year for a total of nearly 900,” Osborne said. “It was a great experience, and we were happy to hear that Sen. Kennedy had chosen the Boys and Girls Club as his charity. As part of most Chambers’ and economic development organizations’ missions, supporting our youth is part of workforce development,” Osborne added.