The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation selected nine Louisianians to receive The Angel Award®, one of Louisiana’s oldest and most-recognized celebrations of everyday people doing extraordinary good work for our state’s children.
Among this year’s honorees is Jennifer Johnson Karle of Natchitoches, the CEO of Cane River Children’s Services for nearly 30 years. Karle has grown the agency to provide a group home, transitional living, counseling, child advocacy, foster care and other life-saving services to thousands of young women who are victims of abuse and neglect.
Other recipients include:
* Alecia B. Bergeron (Baton Rouge
* Kim Bowman (Baton Rouge
* Fr. Michael Champagne (St. Martinville)
* Jan B. Daniels (Monroe
*Robert J. Fritscher (Madisonville)
* Leslie Lacy (Baton Rouge)
* Melissa Sawyer (New Orleans)
Each honoree will receive a $25,000 grant made to the Louisiana-based nonprofit of their choice.
“Our Angels come from all walks of life, but they are distinguished by their commitment to showing up and working hard for children – even in difficult or painful situations. We are proud of each of these honorees and look forward to celebrating them,” said Michael Tipton, president of the Blue Cross Foundation.
The 2022 Angel Award honorees will be recognized at an invitation-only gala Oct. 17 in Baton Rouge. Following up on two successful years of broadcasting partnership with Louisiana Public Broadcasting, the Blue Cross Foundation will also produce a one-hour television special about the honorees, which will air in November 2022 (date to be announced in September).
