HAHNVILLE — With 2017 upon us, the ‘parish of plenty’ is celebrating a year of charitable giving from St. Charles Parish employees and residents to blood drives, flood victims and families in need.

“It’s remarkable how quickly our employees and residents want to help those in need,” St. Charles Parish President Larry Cochran said.

In March, the parish held its annual trash bash event that drew in 306 volunteers, picking up a reported 201 bags of trash around the community.

In July, parish officials organized a blood drive at the courthouse to replenish the supply for officers injured in the line of duty in Baton Rouge.

While the initial goal was to bring in 30 donors, the drive ultimately drew in 79 donors.

After heavy rains devastated parts of southeastern Louisiana in August, St. Charles Parish officials quickly organized a flood victim supply drive that resulted in widespread support from residents and businesses and ultimately six truckloads of donations that were delivered to Ascension and Livingston parishes.

In October, parish employees held their annual bake sale at the courthouse and raised $3,150 to benefit breast cancer while in November the parish, with the courteous donations from residents and employees, provided 240 families in the community with the supplies for a thanksgiving dinner.

Additionally in November, 169 parish employees pledged to donate to the United Way of St. Charles, a number significantly higher than the 99 pledges made in 2015.

In December, parish officials also participated in the annual Toy and Gift Fund that provided more than 1,100 children with toys. Parish employees also held a toy drive for the patients Children’s Hospital that brought in 200 toys.

“I cannot thank our employees and residents enough for volunteering, donating and spreading the word,” Cochran said.

“This is the type of spirit that I want St. Charles Parish to be known for — help others because one day it could be you.”