By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Members of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office Young Marines will hold a car wash in LaPlace Saturday to benefit other platoons across the state.

The fundraiser will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverland Ford, 555 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace. St. John Young Marines Unit Commander Brian Bertrand said all donations collected Saturday would go toward Young Marine units in Division 4, which includes, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma.

Bertrand said the event is a way for his unit to give back to others in the area.

“Our unit receives tremendous support from Sheriff Wayne Jones, which is a luxury that most area units do not enjoy,” Bertrand said. “Other groups in the area, like units in Jefferson or Baton Rouge, have to hold car washes or bake sales to raise money for everything. I think our unit understands that their duty as Young Marines is to never let another Young Marine down and that would be a nice way to execute that core value.”

Bertrand said food and drinks would also be available for those bringing in vehicles to be washed.

The Young Marines, formed in St. John in 2009, is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 11 through 14. The group promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members.

The program focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, gang and drug free lifestyle.