Community says ‘thank-you’ to Rayne police

In the wake of the July 17 shooting that took the lives of three Baton Rouge law enforcement officers and wounded three others, the state — and, indeed, the nation — responded with an outpouring of support for officers there and everywhere.
Rayne was no different.
Spearheaded by Al and Burgundy Olivier, a program to deliver “thank you” bags to all full-time officers of the Rayne Police Department culminated Friday morning at the department’s weekly briefing.
“This really means a lot to us,” said Chief Carroll J. Stelly. “We really never expected anything like this. It shows the community coming together for one cause.”
Stelly added thanks to the many individuals that have visited the police station during the past couple of weeks with gifts of food and water for the officers.
“My heart has been so heavy for all law enforcement officers everywhere,” said Burgundy Olivier, whose son is a law enforcement officer. “Random acts of kindness are popping up with luncheons and little gift bags from folks wanting to express their support.
“Since we had not heard of anyone doing this in Rayne, Al and I decided to start a ‘thank-you’ bag campaign. We composed a letter, listing doodads that folks might want to consider tossing in the bags.”
That email from Burgundy Olivier went out the morning of July 20 — just three days after that fateful Sunday in the state capital — asking for donations.
By that afternoon, she had another mass email answering a number of questions that had been posed by businesses and individuals across the city hoping to participate.
“The interest grew so quickly that we needed huge tot bags to hold everything ... that’s when Bayou Silkscreening stepped in by providing the quality bags,” said Burgundy Olivier.
“Over 50 business and individuals stepped up to participate ... donating coupons and gift cards, ink pens, hand sanitizer, power drinks, snacks, insulated mugs, a gunsmith screwdriver set, rosaries and so much more. We even got items from Fit Blendz that hasn’t even opened yet!”
For the presentation, Gautreaux’s Donut Kitchen provided the police officers with dozens of donuts and pastries, and Best Western Rayne Inn provided a cake that read, “Thank You Rayne Police Dept.”
Each officer received his or her bag packed with goodies, as well as a 12-pack of soft drinks donated by Champagne’s grocery store.
“Rayne is truly blessed to have so many fine officers that risk their lives, day and night, to protect and serve,” Burgundy said. “Rayne Police Chief Carroll Stelly is doing a great job and has earned the trust and respect of his officers. I have a son in law enforcement, so I know the prayers and tears that families experience.
“God bless all officers around the world.”
Special thanks are expressed to the following: Al Olivier Computer Services, Bayou Silkscreening & Design, Expressions Floors & More, Fit Blendz (coming soon), Bullets & Bows, Mouton Pharmacy, Radio Shack, Chef Roy’s Frog City Café, Walgreen’s of Rayne, Duhon Funeral Home, D & R Towing & Recovery, Rotating Solutions, Champagne’s of Rayne, Bercier Family Dentistry, Shop Rite of Rayne, Rayne Guest Home, Subway, Rayne State Bank, Roberts Cove Germanfest Association, Gabe’s Cajun Foods, Frog City Travel Plaza, Miss Mamie’s of Rayne, Gautreaux’s Donut Kitchen, Fireflies Home & Garden, Burger King of Rayne, Candyland Cottage & Ice Cream Shoppe, Sonic Drive-In of Rayne, McDonald’s of Rayne, BurgundyOlivier.com, Koury’s Jewelry & Gifts, Best Western Rayne Inn, C.J. Prevost Insurance & Rayne Realty, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Dairy Queen of Rayne, Southwest Companies Loans & Insurance, along with cash donations from Fred and Annette Gossen, ALC Real Estate, Fred Gossen Co., LLC, Gossen Funeral Home, Mrs. Fair Hash, Al & Burgundy Olivier, Bradley & Sheila Breaux, Tobi & Scott Milligan, Gayle Witherwax & Joyce Arceneaux,
Dr. Myrtle Servat & Willie Etta Servat, Bank of Commerce, Sikat Group, LLC, Rayne Bulding & Loan, Antiques on the Avenue, Casa Margarita Mexican Grill, and Landry's Feed.