LAKE CHARLES, La. (November 17, 2020) – Visit Lake Charles launched its Community of Resilience video to amplify the spirit of the people and rebuilding of Southwest Louisiana. The purpose of the campaign is to gain awareness for Southwest Louisiana’s challenges and spread the message of rebuilding to focus on inviting visitation once the area is rebuilt stronger and better.
With Hurricane Laura coming ashore in Southwest Louisiana on August 27, followed by Hurricane Delta on October 9, locals in the community banded together with the help of outside volunteer agencies, governmental assistance workers, elected officials, spiritual organizations, and community leaders. The video showcases the resilience of Southwest Louisiana citizens who put community above self in the wake of these storms.
“The determination of our people to restore communities in SWLA has been inspirational! Every single day, someone is helping another to get homes back livable and return closed businesses to open for business. We have the pleasure of working with high-energy locals who have rolled up their sleeves to make a difference. In the Community of Resilience video, we highlighted a snapshot of the kinds of activities our residents have been doing since the end of August so that Visit Lake Charles can communicate this idea to the world through powerful imagery,” said Kyle Edmiston, President/CEO of Visit Lake Charles.
The video includes actual footage from Hurricane Laura as well as interviews from Mayor Nic Hunter of Lake Charles, Kyle Edmiston (President/CEO of Visit Lake Charles), Frankie Randazzo (Panorama Music House), Amber Jay (Crying Eagle Brewery), Chef Lyle Broussard (Jack Daniel’s Bar and Grill), and Sam Wilkinson (First Federal Bank and Creole Nature Trail Board Member) at various locations across Southwest Louisiana.
“The most helpful thing that anyone can do is help spread the word that Lake Charles has challenges right now. The more people who understand what the needs are, the faster our communities can get back on their feet through working with local agencies like the United Way or the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana,” said Mayor Nic Hunter of the City of Lake Charles.
Everyone is encouraged to share the video from the Visit Lake Charles social media channels along with the message of resiliency by using the hashtag #RebuildSWLA.
To view the Community of Resilience video and learn how you can help or get involved, log onto www.VisitLakeCharles.org/unity. For more information about the destination’s business openings and general information, log onto www.VisitLakeCharles.org/rebuildswla.
