Working to help enhance the Natchitoches Parish community at- large through service, the 2020 Krewe of Excellence Torchbearers are busy at work with their service project, “Ugly Sweater” Toy Drive-designed to collect and package toys (not sweaters) for many underprivileged children in the Parish.

Partnering with the Natchitoches Area Jaycees organization and the Ben Johnson Educational Center, the drive will end on Dec. 8. Unwrapped toys for children ages 3 to 11, can be taken to Ben Johnson’s Educational Center-Legacy Cafe’, 400 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive (North Street entrance). The Torchbearers are senior-year students in the krewe’s leadership program that are chosen from Lakeview, Louisiana School for Math Science and the Arts, Natchitoches Central and St. Mary’s High Schools.

Pictured on front row from left are CEO at Ben Johnson Educational Center Claire Prymus, Carlos Moses, Amber Swayzer (co-captains) Ka’Brian Bonier, Isuss Paige, Tony Arnold, Jaquan Bobb and Derrick “DJ” Anderson, II. On back row are Princess Ratliff, Olufunke Adeleye, Alexia Roque, Dr. Chris Lyles, President-Natchitoches Area Jaycees, Chancellor Davis, Jaylin White, William Brew and Naji Helaire. Several torchbearers not pictured.