River Parish News

Donaldsonville Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #1153

Announces its Inaugural Freedom Ball to Benefit Veteran Service Programs

Donaldsonville, LA

KING JOLLY GOODFELLOW XC and retired Lt. Colonel, Oscar Evans, his queen Taylor Noel Walker, and Ball Captain and the Honorable Tamiko Francis Garrison announce the Donaldsonville Elk’s Inaugural Freedom Ball on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Ascension Gym at Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales featuring Party at Joes.

The Freedom Ball is a public fundraising program hosted by Donaldsonville Elks Lodge #1153 to support veteran service programs. The Freedom Ball includes all of the traditions and fanfare of a traditional carnival ball and is a continuation of the Elk’s Carnival Ball celebrating its 90th Year Anniversary. Proceeds from the ball will provide services that benefit the health and well-being of veterans; those who serve, have served, and have given their lives to protect our democratic way of life…all principles for which Elks deeply believe in and take an oath to protect. The Elks pledge is “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.” Some of the Elks programs supporting veterans include the Elks Adaptive Sports and Therapy Kits Program, the Welcome Home Initiative, Veterans Expressions Ceremony, the Veterans Day Ceremony, Veterans Walk of Honor, Memorial Day Celebration, Veterans Food Drive, Low Income Veteran Housing Assistance Program, Veterans PTSD

Counseling Support Group, Veterans Job Fair, Veterans Entrepreneurship Program, the Mark Bergeron Honorary Student Scholarship Program, the Veterans Leadership Roundtable, the Veterans Golf Classic, and the Freedom Ball.

The Inaugural Freedom Ball will be featuring special guest masters of ceremonies, Maxine Crump and Johnny Ayhsen both lifelong career journalists, community servants, and philanthropists. Also being honored at the Freedom Ball will be five grand marshals who are being recognized for their military service careers as well as their commitment to the community. Those being honored are Sheriff Robert “Bobby” Webre of Gonzales, Charles J. “Jay” Lemann, Jr. of Donaldsonville, Paul Louis “Kip” Viallon, V of Belle Rose, Leroy J. Sullivan, Jr. Dumfries, Virginia, and Ronald H. “Ronnie” Baker of Gonzales.

Serving in the Inaugural Freedom Ball Royal Court are Percy and Bonnita Matsuda of Gonzales, Sherman Verner and Juanita Pearley of Gonzales and Donaldsonville, Jamison and Heather Dore of Donaldsonville, Dr. Arthur Joffrion and Cindy Joffrion of Plaquemine, and Reagan and Irasema “Sema” Katz of Hacienda Heights, California. Dukes and Duchesses include Grand Dukes are Paul Louis “Louie” Viallon, VI, Brandon Michael Katz of Donaldsonville, Christian Bailey Katz of Prairieville, Shae Marlowe Castillo of Hacienda Heights, California, Steven Wolfgang Castillo of Hacienda Heights, California, and Duke Frank Joseph Joffrion of Plaquemine, and Jordan Glenn Theiler of Memphis, Tennessee. Duchesses include Devyn Yvonne Hambrick of Donaldsonville, Ashleigh Adele Evans of Homedale, Idaho, Ainslee Angelle Evans of Homedale, Idaho. Also participating will be Governess Amanda Liotto, Marchioness Reami Rogers and Marquee Corbin Rogers all of Prairieville.

The Freedom Ball is now accepting reservations. Corporations, members, and the public are invited to celebrate the event and all reservations are tax deductible. Table / ticket reservations must be submitted by January 11, 2023. For more information, interested participants can call 225.445.1383.

donaldsonville_elks_inaugural_freedom_ball_press_release_2023.pdf

Original source can be found here.