Ida Challenge Accepted By Supporters

Following Hurricane Ida, United Way of Southwest Louisiana and the City of Lake Charles held a supply and donation drive, the Ida Challenge. United Way of Southwest Louisiana and CITGO Petroleum Corporation drove a tractor-trailer with donated supplies and 3,000 hot meals to Houma, Louisiana. A surprise financial gift was also in store for United Way for South Louisiana, which serves the two most devastated parishes following Hurricane Ida.

Community members, businesses and organizations were challenged to give back to the Terrebonne and Lafourche parish community members cleaning up following Hurricane Ida by donating supplies or $1,000 toward the Ida Challenge.

"Our goal was to raise $50,000 for United Way for South Louisiana because their community did this for us following Laura last year," explained Denise Durel, President and CEO of United Way of Southwest Louisiana. "Paying their kindness back so they can focus on disaster recovery and get the things they need was the right thing to do. CITGO was able to double the impact. We could hardly keep the lid on this secret driving down that morning."

CITGO Petroleum Corporation donated $50,000 to the Ida Challenge. Team CITGO members assisted with the supply drive and cooking and serving 3,000 hot meals in Houma on the day of the delivery.

Video and pictures of the surprise and event are available by contacting United Way of Southwest Louisiana or online here.