The second annual Community Foundation of Acadiana Leaders in Philanthropy Awards luncheon is slated for Nov. 1 at the Cajundome Convention Center. Eight Acadiana do-gooders will be honored this year by the Community Foundation of Acadiana when the local nonprofit presents its second annual Leaders in Philanthropy Awards luncheon Nov. 1.
The awards, according to CFA, are given to recognize "outstanding philanthropists in 8 parish service-areas who have created an impact in their communities."
This year's list of honorees include:
Acadia Parish Michael G. Francis
Evangeline Parish Dr. Charles Aswell, III
Iberia Parish Ernest Freyou
Lafayette Parish Paula Woodson Blanchet
St. Landry Parish Reggie & Marie Dupré
St. Martin Parish Ray Pellerin
St. Mary Parish Bob Miller
Vermilion Parish Nathan Granger
The event will feature keynote speaker Todd Graves, founder and CEO of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers who was recently named "Restaurateur of the Year" by the Louisiana Restaurant Association:
Graves will speak to attendees about sustaining a successful entrepreneurial business while upholding a strong philanthropic mission. Raising Cane's has been named to Inc. Magazine's list of the top 5000 fastest growing privately-owned companies in the nation for five consecutive years. Furthermore, Graves' entrepreneurial spirit has been recognized in Nation's Restaurant News, Chain Leader, QSR, Entrepreneur, Rolling Stone and USA Today.
Tickets for the annual luncheon are $50 for individuals and $495 to reserve a table of eight. Call Katie Lahey at (337) 769-4844 for more information.
Community Foundation of Acadiana, according to its website, is a "neutral convenor" with a mission to connect charitable donors to the causes they care about. Through partnerships with individuals, families, corporations, other foundations and nonprofits, and state and local governments, CFA has given more than $50 million to worthy community causes.