St. Martin Parish — The Becket Breaux Community Foundation has received an anonymous donation in memory of Henri Clay Bienvenu, longtime publisher and editor of The Teche News, whose career spanned more than five decades in service to the people of St. Martin Parish.
The gift pays tribute to Bienvenu’s lifelong commitment to community, education, and service. His leadership at The Teche News and his coordination of the long-running Neighbors in Need program inspired countless acts of generosity across the parish. The mission of the Becket Breaux Community Foundation, founded in 2020 by Sheriff Becket Breaux, echoes those same values by providing aid to veterans and families in need.
“Henri Bienvenu dedicated his life to telling the stories of our people and strengthening the bonds of our community,” said Sheriff Breaux. “This gift ensures that his legacy of service and compassion continues to touch lives throughout St. Martin Parish.”
Bienvenu was known for his deep support of education, covering St. Martin Parish School Board meetings for more than 50 years. In his honor, the foundation continues to promote educational excellence by supplying athletic equipment, distributing backpacks with essential supplies, and exploring new scholarship opportunities for local students.
Reflecting Bienvenu’s belief that no one should face hardship alone, particularly veterans, the foundation also provides direct assistance to struggling families. Each year, volunteers deliver heating and cooling support, distribute more than 100 Thanksgiving turkeys, and organize an annual toy drive that brings holiday cheer to underprivileged children. During natural disasters, foundation response teams offer hurricane and tornado aid, emergency supplies, and hot meals to displaced residents.
Donation
“Henri believed in the power of community,” Sheriff Breaux added. “This donation allows us to carry forward his vision of neighbors helping neighbors.”
Representatives of the Bienvenu family gathered to attend the donation ceremony, including Maria C. Bienvenu, wife of the late Bienvenu; their son Gerard and his wife Lori, accompanied by their three sons, Lane, Matthew, and Andre. Also in attendance were Bienvenu’s siblings, Bruce Bienvenu and Marcelle Bienvenu Lasserre. Sheriff Becket Breaux joined the event along with foundation administrator Sandy Trosclair and Mary L Terry, publisher of the Teche News.
