Meche’s Drugs forms foundation

By Paul Kedinger

Meche’s Family Drugs Corporation announced last week that it was establishing the Ann Molbert Meche Foundation.

The new Foundation revealed its first charitable donation of $5,000 to the American Diabetes Association on KLFY-TV’s Meet Your Neighbor program on Monday, Aug. 18, the first anniversary of her death on Aug. 18, 2007. Mrs. Meche, 55, was co-owner of Meche’s Family Drugs with her husband, Raphael.

Ann’s physician was Ghyass Rizk, M.D., a Lafayette endocrinologist who treats diabetes. As part of his passion for making his patients’ lives better, he has also been actively raising money for the American Diabetes Association. Every year for the past several years he has participated in the ADA’s Tour de Cure, a bike ride/fund-raiser. For the last three years, he has been the top fund-raiser in Louisiana and one of the top 10 in the nation for this event.

Because of the dedication Dr. Rizk displays, both with his patients and in his fund-raising efforts, the Ann Molbert Meche Foundation chose to support his 2008 Tour de Cure fund-raising efforts. With the help of Mr. Meche and the Ann Molbert Meche Foundation, he raised almost $20,000.00 this year.

The Meche family has dedicated the Foundation “to the silent suffering that Ann endured” and noted she “filled the lives of everyone she met with a hope, warmth, and pureness of heart that dictated the creation of this fund.”

Donations may be made to the Ann Molbert Meche Foundation at First Louisiana National Bank, 211 N. Adams Avenue, P.O. Box 488, Rayne, La. 70578 to account number 2151579.