A community comes together to help

Published 12:00 am Friday, February 11, 2011

When Glenn Duhe and Emily Vicknair were married, unlike many newlyweds they wanted children. Early last year, when Emily found out the good news, the couple was excited about having a baby – truly a blessing.

Midway through the pregnancy, the ultrasound revealed that the young couple would be doubly blessed – twins. The good news spread rapidly with the help of the prospective grandparents, Don and Jody Vicknair and Kim and Toni Duhe.

Allie, a girl, and her brother, Aiden, were born Oct. 27, 2010. All seemed well with the exception that Allie had trouble keeping her nourishment down.

She didn’t gain much weight

and after many tests was diagnosed with Shone’s complex, a congenital heart disease.

She entered Children’s Hospital in New Orleans Jan. 6. Allie has undergone her first heart surgery and will require several more.

Sunday in Reserve “Rallie for Allie” fliers were distributed at every mass. Friends and family

have organized ways to help raise money to defray the medical

expenses.

Thursday a benefit lunch headed by Michelle Stein was held with a goal to sell 600 tickets. The people’s response was exceptional. A total of 1,300 tickets were sold.

“Rallie for Allie” T-shirts were also sold.

I’m amazed how people respond to others in need.

Upcoming events include a prepared food drive called “Fill-A-Freezer for the Duhe family.”

A bake sale at all St. Peter Church masses will be held Feb. 12 and 13. Donations of all kinds are welcome and so are volunteers to work all masses. Please contact Susan Guidry at 985-536-3548.

You can also help by donating to the Allie Duhe Fund at any Capital One Bank location.

With all the things people are doing, still the most important is your prayers asking God to complete the miracle.

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.