LAPLACE — Family Faith Transportation owner Carlton Morris was surprised with a $20,000 check Monday afternoon in LaPlace after being selected as an Intuit Quickbooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero.

Family Faith Transportation is one of only three Small Business Heroes selected among hundreds of nominations nationwide. The award celebrates Morris’ dedication to providing mobility services to the underserved elderly patients in the River Parishes who would not otherwise have transportation to medical and dialysis appointments.

Morris was inspired to start Family Faith Transportation after his mother experienced long wait times for a ride home after a medical appointment. Morris has worked in transportation since he was in his early 20s, and being laid off from his position as a regional manager for a big company out of California opened the door for him to step out on faith and open his own company in 2019. As Family Faith Transportation got off the ground, Morris made a commitment to never make a patient wait more than 20 minutes to be picked up after an appointment.

Ninety percent of Family Faith Transportation clients reside in St. John the Baptist, St. James and St. Charles parishes. Morris and his employees transport individuals who would otherwise be homebound to doctor’s appointments, dialysis facilities and methadone clinics in Hammond, Metairie, Baton Rouge, Gonzales and other areas across Southeast Louisiana. The Family Faith team aims to put a smile on each client’s face in a time of need.

“I just love helping people, especially the elderly and those who are in desperate, serious need,” Morris said. “Some of them are dealing with cancer and need that special care. Some of them have families that are not able to take them to their appointments because they have to work, and some of them have families that just don’t care at all and don’t call and check on their loved ones. That’s where I come in. I will transport them, care for them, and meet that special one on one need. Me and my employees just love going above and beyond.”

Morris found out in late April that he  was a nominee for Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp’s second annual Small Business Hero celebration. He was shocked to learn he was a winner during the surprise check presentation outside of his office at 429 West Airline Highway, Suite Q7 in LaPlace.

“It means a lot,” Morris said. “I see that my hard work is paying off. By me continuing to do what I was called to do in transportation, I’m not working in vain. A lot of my clients rely on my transportation company locally.”

The $20,000 prize was awarded by Intuit, the global technology platform that makes QuickBooks, TurboTax, Credit Karma, and Mailchimp. Through Small Business Hero Day, Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp celebrate the impact small businesses have in their communities and continue to support them on their journey with the resources they need and the recognition they deserve. Small Business Hero Day is part of Intuit’s celebration of Small Business Success Month in May.

According to Intuit, the prize money is intended to support Family Faith Transportation and address the rising gas prices that impact overhead costs.

Individuals in need of medical transportation can call the number on the back of their insurance card to schedule a ride with Family Faith Transportation.

“I’m from LaPlace. All of my relatives are from LaPlace. Several people who drive for me are from the St. John Parish area as well. LaPlace has blessed me, and I want to bless St. John Parish back,” Morris said. “I want people to know there’s a transportation company cares. We’re not doing it just for the money. We’re doing it for the love and the care of the people to meet their needs.”