Meals & masks given to thousands on the West Bank

Published 4:02 pm Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

LAPLACE — Edgard native and technology trailblazer Lael Alexander returned home last week to distribute more than 10,000 facemasks to West Bank residents. The distribution took place at West St. John High School and also included a hand sanitizer giveaway for those who brought their own containers.

Alexander is the owner of Noitavonne, Inc., an award-winning global manufacturer of electronics. He’s received several accolades in his field, including the 2018 Industry Technology Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Lael Alexander

West Bank residents chipped in to serve more than 3,000 hot lunches to the community on the same day the mask distribution took place. The initiative grew from Eilene Lumar Johnson’s vision to serve her Edgard community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jerome “Gee” Lumar was instrumental to the success of the project as a shopper, cook, menu maker and enthusiastic helper.

West Bank resident Chermaine Roybiskie said selfless volunteers dedicated time and effort to cooking, serving the community and cleaning up.