Al Berard Memorial Fund, a fund of Community Foundation of Acadiana (CFA), launched its annual fundraising campaign for 2018. There are a variety of sponsorship levels that range from $2500 to $250. All donations to the Al Berard Memorial Fund are tax deductible and should be made before December 31. You can view the sponsorship levels and descriptions online at www.cfacadiana.org/alberard.

Donations will support Acadiana’s rich Cajun/Creole heritage, arts, music, and French language by providing instruments to students, securing master teachers for music programs, and give music scholarships to students of all ages.

Al Berard Memorial Fund has granted approximately $50,000 to music organizations throughout Acadiana. Some of the organizations that have benefited from the fund are St. Martin Parish Gifted/Talented Music Program, Lafayette Parish Gifted/Talented Music Program, Lafayette’s Tipitina’s Foundation, Woodvale Elementary “French Week”, Atchafalaya Basinkeepers, Louisiana Folk Roots Summer Kids Camp, NUNU Arts & Culture Collective, Le Reveil du Francais, and Teche Center for the Arts.

Al Beard Memorial Fund honors the late Al Berard who was a mentor for music lovers everywhere. “His passion was to teach everyone about his love for music and the Cajun/Creole culture in which he lived,” said Laura Huval, Berard’s daughter. “Through this fund his passion lives on today”.

You can make a donation online at www.cfacadiana.org/alberard, or mail your donation to CFA, Memo: Al Berard, 1035 Camellia Boulevard, Suite 100, Lafayette, LA 70508. For more information, you can email donorservices@cfacadiana.org or call 337.769.4843.