The true meaning of giving thanks!

By Kelly Parker
Contributing Writer

Despite economic challenges and hardships, the act of giving is indeed infectious, especially during the holiday season. After Jerry Dean Meyers of Gretna reached out to noted WWL-TV Action Reporter Bill Capo for help with her annual Benefit Holiday Food Drive, Nina Santa Marina, Founder and President of the Cheffen Wilson Milton Foun­dation, took action as well. Santa Marina saw Capos report-in which Myers stated concerns of running out of donations to give to needy families for Thanksgiving. Santa Marina had been a benefactor of community giving, so she jumped at the opportunity to give back.

“I once cared for my sister’s five children and certainly recognize the need for additional food on the table during the Thanksgiving holidays,” Santa Marina says. “A community center in Laplace, LA, where I presently reside helped me back then. Now that I have the opportunity to give back to those in need, I am.”

Inspired by Meyers, Santa Marina began a food drive of her own, and on November 14, along with foundation board members Patrece Poche’ and Sharon Shelby, Santa Marina delivered eight8 turkeys and two car loads of food to Meyers’ Gretna home.

“Having a heart so filled with love for everyone, she is a true inspiration to us all,” says Patrece Poche.

The goal has been set to feed 25 families, according to Santa Marina, whose foundation plays various roles in the community-one being, raising funds for area first year college students.

She hopes that perhaps others can be motivated to follow Ms. Meyers lead to giving back to those who are in need.

“I truly believe others can benefit by paying it forward,” Santa Marina adds. “That is how I benefitted years ago. A married couple arrived at my home several days before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays years ago and delivered food, presents and gift cards to my, then family of nine. No good deed goes un-noticed in the eyes of the Lord and I am positive that married couple has been blessed dearly. Although the kids (in my family) are now grown and caring for themselves, we all now give back in the manner it was given to us years ago.”

For more information on how to help the Gretna Benefit Holiday Food Drive, contact 504-361-1941, and to find out more about donation efforts of the Cheffen Wilson Milton Foundation, call (504) 684-5412.

This article was originally published in the November 21, 2011 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper