Member Spotlight

Lauren Broussard Westmoreland

When did you first hear about the Community Foundation?

I heard about the Foundation when my brother Kyle passed away.  He had only just turned 21 and passed away from a brain tumor.  It was devastating for our entire family and we felt so helpless.  We were in the midst of our grief and reeling from the unfathomable loss, but we knew that we wanted to do something that could help other families having to live through the same tragic circumstances.  That's where the Foundation came in, and what a blessing it's been.  Starting a memorial fund in Kyle's memory allowed us to keep his legacy alive and channel our grief into giving back to our community.

How did you decide to become an annual member?

When I discovered that an annual membership was an option, I knew immediately that this was the option for me.  Instead of doing one-time donations, a recurring monthly membership gives me the assurance that I am regularly giving back to the Foundation and benefiting our community.  Having started a fund in Kyle's memory, I've had the advantage of seeing firsthand how the funds work and how beneficial they are to those in need.

What do you love about Southwest Louisiana? 

The first word that comes to mind when I think about the people of Southwest Louisiana is resiliency.  Our community has shown time and time again that we stand together in the face of adversity.  Whether it’s hurricanes or losing loved ones, the people of our area come together and take care of each other.

What other causes or organizations are close to your heart? 

In addition to the Community Foundation, there are two other organizations close to my heart.  The Junior League of Lake Charles (JLLC), and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).  I volunteer with both and enjoy the different ways they impact the people of our community.  I donate to FCA and their outreach to the youth in our area to put Christ at the center of their lives.  I volunteer with JLLC to give back to the children and families in need in our community.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CONNECTION TO THE CONRADS (RUSS “BUDDY RUSS” CONRAD FAMILY)

My parents, Kenneth and Brenda Broussard are originally from the same small town as David and they all graduated from high school together. As luck would have it, Russ and I also ended up graduating high school together. We took chorus together for several years and he never failed to keep Mr. Miller on his toes with his quick wit. So I had known Russ quite literally our entire lives. 

When I found out that the most important thing for him to have at his Buddy Russ Benefit in February was a blood drive but that the benefit wouldn’t be able to host one, I picked up the phone and called Pop. (David and Beth, Russ’s mom and dad, are affectionately known as Mom and Pop to Russ’s friends.)  As one of the coordinators for the Junior League’s Touch-A-Truck fundraiser, I would be organizing a blood drive at the event. This meant that a blood drive in Russ’s honor was something I could give him. 

I’ve lived through what it’s like to watch someone who’s way too young fight the good fight, finish the course, keep the faith, and still lose when we lost Kyle. To say that cancer is awful is the understatement of a lifetime. To have lifelong friends of my parents and my friend living out the same nightmare that my family endured made this very personal for me. Russ wanted a blood drive and I just so happened to be in a position to make it happen for him, so I was in. No questions asked. 

Russ was feeling well that day when I called Pop to pitch my blood drive idea, so Pop let me talk to him.  I’d give anything to have a recording of that phone call. Words cannot describe the gratitude in Russ’s voice as we talked it over. He received countless infusions since his diagnosis, but even as he was battling cancer, he was still selfless beyond measure and wanted to support the blood banks that were supporting him with a LifeShare blood drive. 

Russ, unfortunately, passed away the day before his blood drive at Touch-A-Truck, but we celebrated the wonderful life he led and broke the goal Lifeshare had set for the event’s donations. 

When Mom and Pop spoke at Russ’s memorial service, they urged us to keep giving back to our community and to keep Russ’s legacy alive. Pop said that they would maybe even like to start a foundation in Russ’s memory, but that he wasn’t sure how to do that. This caught my attention immediately and I thought, “Hey I know how to do that. I know just who to put them in touch with.”  The next morning I called Sara Judson at 8 am, and now here we are with a living legacy in Russ’s memory. 

Russ was a ray of sunshine in human form, and we are all better for having known him. It is so very fitting that he continues to give back to his beloved SWLA community even beyond this life.

What inspires you to give back? (whether it’s your time or a monetary donation)

I have a volunteer's heart.  I am inspired to give both my time and donations to organizations and causes in our community because I know that helping others in need is what makes us a community.