LAPLACE — A free community workshop is planned to help greater LaPlace residents learn effective ways to settle their nervous systems following Feb. 23’s tornado.

The event is open to the public from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the LaPlace Elementary School cafeteria, 393 Greenwood Drive in LaPlace.

Organizers said Dr. Gail Gillespie, a licensed psychologist, will provide tips and tools for children — ages 8 and up — and adults who are experiencing anxiety, fear, disturbing thoughts and insomnia after the recent storm and tornado.

Gillespie will help residents understand their feelings, then demonstrate a gentle and effective way to clear those disturbing and stressful emotions.

An RSVP is not required. For more information, email gailgillespie13@gmail.com.

Raising Cane’s

Citing the hundreds of people across southern Louisiana who were left homeless and in need of food, water, shelter and other basic necessities after their communities were devastated by tornadoes, a LaPlace fundraiser is planned.

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, which has a restaurant and dozens of crewmembers in the affected areas, is teaming with St. John the Baptist Parish to assist in the relief effort.

Raising Cane’s in LaPlace will donate 100 percent of sales from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to the United Way Tornado Relief Foundation and St. John the Baptist Parish Long Term Recovery Group, which are organizing relief efforts in the impacted communities.

All funds raised will go directly to assisting those who have been displaced or negatively affected by the tornadoes.

“We’ve all witnessed the destruction caused by these tornadoes, and we know many people are still in need of assistance,” said LaPlace General Manager Pete Clark.

“We invite everyone to come by on Tuesday and help us raise money for the relief efforts. Our neighbors need us, and we want them to know we’re here for them.”

The restaurant is located at 123 West Airline Highway in LaPlace.

St. John

St. John the Baptist Parish officials said 585 properties recorded damage, including commercial and residential locations, following Feb. 23’s massive storm.

As of Wednesday evening, parish leaders reported 5,202 cubic yards of vegetative debris and 739 yards of construction and demolition debris were collected.

Meals are being offered to those in need.

On Saturday, meals can be picked up at noon from the LaPlace Urgent Care Parking Lot or the Acuri Center on Cambridge Drive, or at 5 p.m. at Living Way Church on Walnut Street.

Businesses that sustained physical or economic loss due to the tornado are asked to complete a survey at http://sjbparish.com/tornado.php,