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SPECIAL TO THE DAILY NEWS

Bogalusa City Court Judge David Merlin Duke was nominated by members of the community for making an impact in the lives of children and families on the Northshore.

Children’s Advocacy Center-Hope House is pleased to announce this year’s Champions for Children award winners. These seven local heroes will be recognized at the fourth annual Champions for Children Breakfast, made possible by A Gift Given in Jesus’ Name and Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co., on Wednesday, April 9th from 7:30-9:30AM at Fleur De Lis Event Center in Mandeville.

Nominated by members of the community, these individuals are everyday heroes making an impact in the lives of children and families on the Northshore.

This year’s award winners include:

• Judge David Merlin Duke, Bogalusa City Court

• Rachel Adair, Executive Director of Northlake Crisis Pregnancy Center

• Brian Brown, Detective/

Forensic Examiner with the Covington Police Department

Allie Harris, Child Protective Services Investigator with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services

Ann Ollendike, Founder/Executive Director of Basket of Hope Louisiana

Tyler Pathoumthong, Detective with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office

Ayushi Purohit, St. Scholastica Academy Student (Youth Champion)

Each year, Hope House also selects and honors a “Legacy Champion” who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the local fight against child abuse in particular, and who has been instrumental in advancing the mission of the organization. This year’s Legacy Champion is longtime Hope House supporter and community leader Caitlin Hunter, Corporate Affairs Representative for Chevron!

Congratulations to all of our award winners! We can’t wait to celebrate you at the breakfast on April 9th!

For event tickets and information, visit www.cachopehouse.org/events.