By Cyndi Sellers
The Cameron Lions Club continues its mission to contribute to the Cameron Parish community, in spite of having to cancel its annual Fishing Festival fundraiser. As the club met Wednesday, July 29, at the Cameron Multipurpose Building, members voted to underwrite electrical upgrades to the Grand Chenier Park pavilion, at a cost of $6795.
The upgrades will add lights and power to the south extension of the pavilion and add several more outlets for use at events.
The club also voted to sponsor step number 44 in the Sabine Pass Lighthouse restoration project, in honor of the chartering of the club in 1944.
The Scholarship Committee announced $22,500 in scholarships awarded to Cameron Parish high school students this year. Venture Global LNG has committed to a $10,000 direct donation to the scholarship fund, in lieu of sponsoring the Fishing Festival this year. An on-line auction is being considered for the fall to help offset the loss of festival revenue.
Lion Ryan Bourriaque reported the recent legislative sessions and also on a pipefitter certification program sponsored by Venture Global in cooperation with the Cameron Parish School Board. The first course is being held this year at South Cameron High School using the school’s Vocational/Agriculture facilities. Five students are in the course, which can lead to internships with Kiewit Construction.
Plans are being made through a cooperative endeavor agreement with SOWELA for further courses, including Pipefitter 2, rod-busting, welding, and carpentry, when the COVID situation eases. The next class will be open to Grand Lake and South Cameron juniors and seniors. The class can hold up to 15, and if not enough students apply it may be opened to adults. The Vo-ag schedule will be adjusted to allow courses to operate during afternoon and evening hours.
Lion Katie Armentor announced that the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority is scheduled to hold its September meeting in Cameron Parish, only the second time they have met here. She expects the board to view the new Rutherford Beach shoreline protection project. The Lions Club will provide desserts for the luncheon.