(EDITOR’S NOTE—This article ran in the Cameron Pilot in January 2016 on the event of the 40th anniversary of the Cameron Council On Aging. This year marks their 50th anniversary.)

In 1976, the Cameron Council On Aging was incorporated into action under Governor Edwin W. Edwards, State Representative Conway LeBleu, and State Senator Jesse M. Knowles. The thoughtfulness and diligence, of the young and upcoming Director Dinah Nunez Landry, made a significant impact not only in the community but in the parish as a whole. If not for the determination of this individual by sacrificing her time and unfailing presence at the State Capitol, where would our parish be and how would our elderly be treated.

The founding Board Members of the Incorporation of the CCOA are as follows: Mr. Charles Broussard, President, of Big Lake; Mrs. Mary LeBleu, Vice-President, of Big Lake; Mr. Ellis McWhirter, Secretary-Treasurer, of Creole; Mr. Vernon Jinks, of Hackberry; Mrs. Stanley McCormick, of Johnson Bayou; Mr. Rodolph Nunez, of Hackberry; Mr. Elray LaSalle, of Cameron; Mrs. Emma Nunez, of Grand Chenier; Mrs. Lillie Harrison, of Grand Chenier; Mrs. Agnes Nash, of Grand Chenier; Mrs. Victoria Daigle, of Cameron; Mrs. Violet Rutherford, of Johnson Bayou.

Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, CCOA celebrated 50 years of service to Cameron Parish. We could not have made it this far without the support from our Parish Officials, our Citizens, but mostly our Seniors. A very special thanks, of past and present, to the individuals and their families for making a difference in our Parish of Cameron.