OUR HISTORY

We formed Lane's Promise 2005. We incorporated it in October of that year but did an informal project shortly before that.  Some family friends of ours were sheltering several Hurricane Katrina families. We took on the needs of the children and were able to give them clothes, toys and food for the duration of their stay.  That Christmas we adopted three families.  Our priest, Monsignor Russell Harrington agreed to have his church parish, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Mire, LA host a toy drive for us.  They have done this for us every year since.   We were able to give our three families toys, filled stockings, clothes, pajamas, food, and household items.

In 2006 and 2007 we adopted three more families each year and again gave them toys, clothes, food and household items.

In 2008 we stepped up our game and adopted five families.  It was quite a challenge organizing Christmas for five families (including our own) but it was definitely five times as rewarding.  There were 13 children among the five families.  In addition to the toys, each child received a box of clothes, pajamas and toiletries.  There was also a crate for each family filled with cleaning supplies and toiletries.  They also got non-perishable food items as well as grocery and gas gift cards.  We had our biggest volunteer force that year and it took our worker bees about eight hours to sort, organize, package and wrap everything for distribution that day.

In 2009, we adopted seven families which included 35 people, 25 of which were children.  The toy drive at church was a great success once again!  In addition to the many toys (and batteries!) the kids received, each child was given 2 winter outfits, 3 sets of warm pajamas, a coat, 2 packs of socks, 2 packs of underwears, a of shoes, toothbrush and toothpaste and a winter blanket.  Each family was given a crate of cleaning supplies, antibacterial items, laundry detergent, non perishable food items and children's snacks.

 In 2010, we adopted four families that included a total of 13 children. The children ranged in ages from 2 to 14 years old.  As always, the kids were given warm clothes, pajamas, coats, socks, gloves, toiletries and of course.....THE TOYS!!!  This year we were able to purchase a bike for each of the 14 children.  Yep!  The men put together 14 bikes!  The families also received food items, toiletries, cleaning supplies and other household items.  Our church parish, under the leadership of Monsignor Russell Harrington, once again held a very successful toy drive for us.  Also this year, the 4H club at Sts. Leo-Seton collected all of the cleaning supplies for us.  These donations are important to us because it frees up our funds to be able to purchase the clothing and household goods.

For the 2011 Christmas season Lane's Promise "adopted" five families. We worked with the Thensted Center in Grand Coteau once again. The need was so very great for our families this year. We had one family who lost everything in a fire in September and were desperately asking for things as simple as towels and sheets. Another family was dealing with the loss of their daughter as they coped with their own injuries from a car accident and their request was coats. And another family needed school uniforms for their children. All five of our families were asking for basic necessities like blankets and warm clothing. Little did they know what they were going to get!!  There were 20 children in all ranging in age from 3 to 12 years old. Each child received winter clothing, warm pajamas, socks, underwear, coat, jacket, shoes plenty of toys and a bike. Each of the five families received a basket of cleaning supplies, toiletries, towels, blankets, and non-perishable food items.

In 2012, we changed directions a bit.  We decided to spread things a bit further.  We  adopted 15 families which combined had 58 children.  There were 29 girls and 29 boys all ranging from 4 months old to 17 years old.  As always, our church, Assumption Church in Mire, La--now under the leadership of Father Mike Arnaud--held a toy drive for us for the children.  St. John Berchman's Church in Cankton, La---under the leadership of Monsignor Russell Harrington also held their own toy drive and gave Lane's Promise much of what they collected.  The families again received warm clothing, household items and toiletries.  In addition, we helped out the Thensted Center's tutoring program by giving those 35 children a stocking filled with toiletries, school supplies, gloves and one toy.   We also were able to  provide necessary items to some elderly in the area as well as warm clothing to 12 mentally challenged men who participate in the Breaking Down Barriers Program.  The only way to describe 2013's effort was.......EPIC!!!!

In May 2013 devastating tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma, killing 24 people, 7 of which were children and displacing thousands of residents.   On May 27, Memorial Day and the eighth anniversary of Lane's death, volunteers gathered to put together a quick effort for tornado victims.  250 bags were put together filled with coloring books, colors, notebooks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, pens, pencils, hand sanitizer, and snacks to be distributed to children living in temporary shelters.  BT Services, an oil field company with offices here in Lafayette and Oklahoma, transported the bags for us.

Our 2013 Christmas effort was just as big as always.  We filled up a trailer of warm clothing, toiletries, food, cleaning supplies and toys, toys and more toys to be delivered to the Thensted Center in Grand Coteau.  We also were able to provide large gift bags filled with t-shirts, socks, cleaning supplies and daily necessities to be handed out to the 12 men in the Breaking Down Barriers program that the Thensted Center is partnered with helping throughout the year.  New to 2013 was our SPARK project.  Please check out the SPARK tab for details.  Once again, from the bottom of our hearts thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered and prayed for us.  Be sure to check out the photo gallery for pictures of some of our projects.

  Our 2014 Christmas effort was a huge success.  We once again partnered with the Thensted Center of Grand Coteau and provided warm clothing, toiletries, food, cleaning supplies and toys to those less fortunate.  Our church Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Mire, LA and Sts. Leo-Seton Catholic School's 4th grade classes both held a successful toy drives for us.

For 2015, we changed directions a bit.  We still helped the Thensted Center with the Breaking Down Barriers program for mentally challenged men and also with toys for their under privileged children.  We also partnered with Family Promise, an Acadiana organization that helps homeless families stay together until they can find sufficient housing on their own.  We putting together starter packages for them to help get on their feet.  We also provided Christmas toys, pajamas and toiletries to the families that they house.

From 2016 until 2020 Lane’s Promise has worked with the Thensted Center with assisting the men in their Breaking Down Barriers program as well as adopting homeless families through Family Promise. We have provided household needs, toiletries, warm clothing and toys.