By LEONARD GRAY

Managing Editor

LUTCHER — The Get High on Life ministry celebrated its 26th anniversary in the River Parishes, offering people a way back to sobriety and Christian living.

The fund-raiser event was held Tuesday night at the St. James PR Building next to Lutcher High School, and hosted 150 guests.

The attendees enjoyed a dinner, spiced with special music by Linzi Lawson and guest speaker Steve Nosacka, who spoke on the purpose of Get High on Life’s ministry.

However, the highlight of the event was a series of testimonies from people whose lives were restored to them, mostly through the efforts of Harold Keller.

Nosacka spoke on some of Keller’s activities, including production of a newsletter, columns in six newspapers, working in drug education programs, sponsoring peer support groups at schools, working with Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Reserve Christian, working as chaplain at Lutcher High, offering employee-assistance programs to area businesses, visits to area prisons and the St. James Youth Center, family interventions, weekly visits to Fountainbleu rehabilitation center, an annual prayer breakfast with veterans and much more.

&#8220And he has the ability to throw away the schedule for one person,” Nosacka said with admiration.

Testimony from Chad &#8220Doc” Roussel, who was celebrating one year of sobriety, told how he met Keller while Roussel was in jail. &#8220That’s what it took to change my life,” he said. &#8220I realized I needed God.” Married, with two children, he brought his family to the podium and commented, &#8220I was throwing it all away, but I’m thankful to be here today.”

Scott Lassere reported how he had been looking at a possible 10 years in prison but was redirected to a substance abuse center in Lafayette. &#8220God supplied my needs,” he said.

Keller received an evening full of thankfulness and replied, &#8220I don’t do nothing! You call me, and I just send you somewhere!”

He introduced the Get High on Life Committee, including chairman Danny Louque, Emile Bergeron, John Braun, Tim Detillier, Bill Hubbard, Steve Lee, Steve Nosacka, Mike Patorno, Jeff Perilloux, Calvin Rousse, Mickey Roussel, Jeremy St. Amant, Eric St. Amant, Dr. S.J. St. Martin and Tom Smith.

He also introduced special guests St. James Parish President Dale Hymel Jr., St. James Sheriff Willy Martin Jr., St. John Clerk of Court Eliana Defranschese, Rep. Bobby Faucheux, Judge Thomas Daley, St. John Indigent Defender Board Chairman Richard Stricks and the Rev. Neal Bernard.

Louque gave opening remarks in which he pointed out the event was not so much for fund-raising, but to celebrate victories in everyone’s lives.

&#8220It’s about a celebration of people to whom God has given back their lives,” Louque said.