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November 24, 2009

200 ways to spread holiday cheer



By Darragh Doiron

The News staff writer

A box of mac and cheese mix, paired with a turkey gift card, is enough to relieve a budget crisis with some families this holiday season.

The Babineaux Family Foundation and the Jamaal Charles Family have teamed up with H-E-B to feed 200 families with bounty from 200 gift baskets. Those in need are invited to bring identification with a Port Arthur address to Sacred Hearth Catholic Church hall at Lincoln Avenue and West Ninth Street. Distribution will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24.

“We just want to be able to give back to the community … to provide them with a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner,” Barbara Babineaux said. “We know everybody’s in need. During the holidays, this is something important to all families.”

She said this is the second time the group has provided baskets and word is spreading.

“They just know that this is starting to be a yearly thing for us,” Babineaux said.

This year’s offerings include rice, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables and stuffing ingredients.

Babineaux is mother to Lincoln High students who went on to football fame: Jonathan Babineaux of the Atlanta Falcons and Jordon Babineaux of the Seattle Seahawks. She said they were contemporaries of Charles, who attended Memorial High and went on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Babineaux Family Foundation is planning a community center for youth and has organized benefits for lupis research.

As for Babineaux’ own Thanksgiving thoughts, she said she’s thankful “to be here and to be able to provide for those in need, which warms my heart very much. Just to be able to give, period.”

For information on foundation projects, contact Jean or Barbara Babineaux at 718-7886 or 960-1912.

“Volunteers are always welcome,” Babineaux said.

ddoiron@panews.com

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