The Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development is honored to announce that Patti and Lee Lawrence have been selected as the 2024 Humanitarians of the Year in conjunction with Acadia Parish Honors Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony.
With roots in Charleston, South Carolina, Patti began her career in broadcasting. She would then find herself on the staff of Senator Strom Thurmond in Washington. Then, a job within the Department of Commerce, working with World’s Fairs, both in Knoxville and then New Orleans, led to her meeting and marrying Lee in 1984.
Lee, a Crowley native, had a 40-year career in healthcare management, starting at Methodist Hospital in New Orleans and eventually becoming its President. During that time, he also served as the Chair of the Louisiana Hospital Association. After 25 years as president of an alliance of nonprofit hospitals and hospital systems in Florida and Alabama, Lee retired.
In 2010, the Lawrences returned to Crowley with the opportunity to purchase Lee’s family ancestral home – a beautiful home on 2nd street. Lee and Patti immediately immersed themselves in the community through a variety of organizations. They’re active members of Crowley First United Methodist Church, serving on committees and helping to lead renovation projects. Lee also served on the board of the Grand Opera House of the South and the Crowley Rotary, while Patti dedicated her time to organizations like the Crowley Lions Club and Crowley Main Street, focusing on community development and charity work. This dynamic duo can often be seen at events throughout the community, hand-in-hand, supporting the work of the many individuals who have come to know and love them over the years.
Lee and Patti sing in the Crowley Community Choir, with performances at Christmas and for the International Day of Prayer. They are sponsors of the Greetings from Levy Park concert series, the International Rice Festival, and the Tony Robichaux Sports Complex. They work with the Feed the Hungry program and contribute to Audry Spencer’s Learning Center, the Art Council, and various local charitable events. Most recently, Lee has worked with a group from Rotary to assist in establishing a Crowley Boys and Girls Club, a dream which will come to fruition later this year.
The Lawrences will be presented this award May 9th at the Acadia Parish Honors Annual Banquet & Awards Ceremony. The Acadia Parish Honors is open to the public. Guests will arrive at 5:30 pm for a cocktail and social hour while having the opportunity to bid on silent auction items. Programming will begin at 6:30 pm with dinner and drinks to follow. Tickets are $50, which includes dinner & drinks, and may be purchased on our website at AcadiaParishChamber.org or by calling 337-788-0177.
