L’Observateur / July 5, 2000

LAPLACE – For 20 years the Get High on Life foundation has been helping those in need in the River Parishes and beyond.

Tuesday night, the River Parishes community and many of those who have been helped came together at the LaPlace Holiday Inn to give their testimony on how the foundation has changed their lives.

The theme of the Get High On Life fourth annual banquet was “celebrating 20 years of ministering to a lost, lonely and hurting world.” Ronny Michel, thedaughter of Harold Keller, one of the founders of the foundation, served as mistress of ceremonies. The Rev. Rod Aguillard led the gathering in theopening prayer. Steve Nosacka led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by aperformance of the national anthem by Dianna Duffy.

Jeff Campeaux gave a testimony on how the foundation and Teen Challenge have changed his life.

“God brought the program into my life,” Campeaux said. “I want to do thingsfor God now. He really changed my life.”After dinner, a slide show was presented by committee members Jeff Montz and John Braun, showcasing the foundation’s work over the past 20 years and its plans for the future. Those works include a $1,500 donation TeenChallenge of Lafayette, a $1,000 donation to Teen Challenge of Hot Springs, Ark., the hosting of Memorial Day and Real Men Love Jesus breakfasts andthe donations of Bibles. The donation back to different resource centers inthe community totaled approximately $9,000.

The slide show also presented testimonies by sheriffs Greg Champagne of St. Charles, Willy Martin of St. James and Wayne Jones of St. John theBaptist parishes and St. James Parish President Dale Hymel about how thefoundation has benefitted the community.

“The attendance here tonight is a testimony that Get High on Life has touched lives,” Montz said.

Plans for the future include Keller’s book, “Sober and Saved,” to be released later this year and a High Life Center in the River Parishes.

Testimonies were also given by those influenced by the foundation and Keller.

“First of all, I want to thank Mr. Keller,” Steve Saladino from Chalmette said.”The first day I met him I knew he had something I wanted. He changed mylife. I had lost God, but little did I know He was right there waiting for me.Because of Fontainebleau and Mr. Keller, I have a whole new life.”Lillie Hayes sang a rendition of “You’re Just Right for a Miracle.” Judge Thomas Daley also thank the foundation for being there for those in need in the community.

“I want to thank Get High on Life and its leaders for the real asset it provides to the community,” Daley said.

Danny Louque, the foundation committee chairman, gave a testimony and update on the Real Men Love Jesus breakfasts held in LaPlace, Vacherie and Lutcher since December. The Rev. Neil Bernard closed out the banquet with aclosing prayer.

Over 200 attended the banquet, including many public officials and representatives from the Fontainebleau Center and Teen Challenge.

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