Help for Lake Charles

When Lisa Jakel, Houstonian and Lake Charles, Louisiana, native, returned from her trip home after back-to-back 2020 hurricanes Laura and Delta, she shared the stories of devastation with her friend, Mary Frances DuMay. Inspired by what she learned, Mary Frances wasted no time and created an adopt-a-family program to help. She rallied a group of her Compass real estate colleagues to gather funds for the residents of Lake Charles who lost so much during the storms. They used donated funds to purchase clothes, shoes, kitchen utensils, food, blankets, and coats for eight Lake Charles families. In a fully loaded SUV, the volunteers drove the donations to Louisiana, along with hand-written notes of encouragement. The volunteers are (top row, from left) Lee Kaplan, Laura Winston, Mary Frances DuMay, Karen Haysley, Kristin Wallis, and Gordana Vickers; (bottom row, from left) Rhett Ross, Andi Berkman, Alex Loyd, Caroline Bean, and Lisa Jakel. Not pictured: Amy Chance, Maggie Garza, Caroline Harrison, Emelie Mavligit, Lexi Marek, Jean Roberts, Carol Rowley, and Patricia Sayegh. 

Editor’s note: The Buzz congratulates our regular Buzz About Town writer, associate editor Jordan Steinfeld, and her husband Matthew on the recent arrival of baby Sloane. Jordan is taking a short break to spend time with Sloane. In the meantime, Buzz writer Angie Frederickson is handling this column. As usual, please send your high-res photos and community news to [email protected]. Items are published on a space-available basis.