If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, then 232-HELP/Louisiana 211 is everybody’s best friend. At its recent Diamond Gala, the community resource hotline and referral agency celebrated 60 years of helping the needy in the Acadiana community.
The anniversary Diamond Gala was presented by Barczyk Spine & Joint. Hundreds of supporters, friends, and community members packed the Doubletree Hotel ballroom on Thursday, Oct. 23 for the event. The celebration included live New Orleans entertainment, the UL Jazz Quartet, themed cocktails and dinner.
There was also a serious side to the event, as the agency honored two amazing community members. Ema Haq, of Bailey’s restaurant fame, received the 2025 Jewell P. Lowe Humanitarian Award. The huge honor recognizes one outstanding volunteer who (according to the award’s description) has exhibited a deep compassion for those less fortunate, a desire to improve the lives of the people of Acadiana, and whose life’s work has positively advanced those ideals. Many in the room who know Haq well said this describes him perfectly.
Organizers also named 232-HELP’s very first Trailblazer Award winner, Emile Myers. The 15-year-old entrepreneur and philanthropist is famous for his hot cocoa stand. He started the business to raise funds for charity. He has since raised tens of thousands of dollars for numerous Acadiana charities. Many described the young man as truly inspirational.
For those not familiar with 232-HELP, the agency is a community resource hotline, helping with everything from disaster relief to healthcare services, food, shelter, clothing assistance, and much more. Congratulations 232-HELP. We’d say this diamond year was nearly flawless.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.theadvocate.com ’
