Mother’s Day Spotlight: Community Mothers

Mother’s Day related spending is expected to reach an all-time high this year in the United States, a projected $38 billion, according to the National Retail Federation, with top categori  es being dining out, flowers and jewelry.  But Mother’s Day isn’t all about the gifts, it’s about the impact mothers have on our lives. In the following pages, learn about a few local moms, their impact and how to choose the perfect gift as a sign of appreciation. 

Moms aren’t only active in the home. Many local women are out in the community getting essential tasks done, pushing the boundaries of what can be done and nurturing those around them. Thrive sent out a call for you to nominate your favorite community mothers. Here are four women we are thrilled to honor.

Eloise Pruitt

Eloise Pruitt does so much for Bishop Noland High School, as well as the community as a whole. From volunteering on boards for a variety of community organizations to teaching our kids how to serve their community with pride, she is the full package. Not a day goes by that I don’t see her name somewhere helping/supporting/promoting someone or something in our community. So thankful to have her as a part of SWLA and our high school.

-Stephanie Treme, MD

Amy Gardner

Amy Gardner nurtures this community the way a mother nurtures her family, with compassion, strength and an unwavering commitment to helping it grow and thrive.

Through her involvement with the Rotary Club of Lake Charles, where she currently serves as president elect, she has participated in Love the Boot Week by helping clean and care for our community, volunteered with the Salvation Army’s bell ringing efforts and supported major fundraising.

She has helped pack over 20,000 meal kits for Rise Against Hunger and prepared 100 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, extending her reach far beyond our local community and has also sorted beads for Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana.

-Morgan Algero

Jenee Fox

My wife Jenee Fox! She’s a scientist-astronaut candidate, published scientist, children’s book author, mother to two little boys, did zero G flight experiments and space suit design, works in Asset Strategy and Operations for Entergy and is in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

-Jacob Fox

Debbie Eskind-Papania

My mom, Debbie Eskind-Papania, is a mom/grandma to all who enter St. Nicholas Center for Children. She is the first friendly face everyone sees and the kids and staff love her. My sisters and I have watched her bravely battle and beat breast cancer this year and she handled it with grace. She is the most thoughtful Nana to her grandchildren and is always thinking of others.

-Christy Papania-Jones