By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — St. John the Baptist Parish Council members, in coordination with Eliza Eugene’s Blessed to be a Blessing organization and other community leaders, distributed bikes and toys to children in the community as part of an effort to give back during the Christmas holidays.

“This time of year we should all be giving back and giving thanks for what we have,” Parish Council Chairman Marvin Perrilloux said.

“We’re glad to put a smile on their faces this year.”

Eugene said some Council members, as well as St. John District Attorney Tom Daley and Assistant District Attorney Jeff Perilloux, bought the bikes that were distributed to children in two families prior to the Dec. 23 Council meeting. One of the families recently lost all of their belongings in a fire, Eugene said, while the other children recently had their mother pass away.

“The greatest joy is being a blessing,” Eugene said. “Together we are making a difference.”

One of the bike recipients, 8-year-old Dakari Taylor, said he was excited about his new bike, adding he likes to spend time outside playing football, baseball and riding bikes with his siblings and friends.

Councilman Lucien Gauff III said “it’s always important to give back and show the public we’re here for them.”

Kendria Spears, the principal at Fifth Ward Elementary, helped Eugene identify children from her school that could use the gifts.

“It’ll definitely make their Christmas brighter,” Taylor said.

The gifts continued on Christmas Eve, as Councilman Michael Wright and Eugene spent time making surprise visits to deliver toys to children throughout the parish.

“A special thanks to Ms. Eliza Eugene with Blessed to Be a Blessing for coordinating (the) efforts,” Wright said.