The ninth annual Chers Bébés: Acadiana’s Soirée for Life is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, at Cathedral Hall in Lafayette.
Chers Bébés benefits the Dr. Zerben Bienvenu and Dr. William Smith Fund for Acadiana Pro-Life Education, dedicated to the pro-life education of middle and high school students across Acadiana through interactive presentations and activities. Through these efforts we continue to strengthen the pro-life spirit of Acadiana for generations to come!
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Will you support youth education in Acadiana? Your generous donation will help us continue the pro-life education of middle and high school students across Acadiana.
Click here to make a donation!
For more information on the event or to host a table, contact Krystal Romero at 337.704.1335. or krystal@prolifelouisiana.org or Stephen Bienvenu at 337.356.2867 or SFBienvenu@gmail.com.
2023 CHERS BEBES SPEAKER: Christi Van Eaton
ACADIANA PROUDLY PRO-LIFE AWARD HONOREES
Honorees for the 2023 Chers Bébés: Acadiana’s Soirée for Life: Will and Sandra Mills
Will and Sandra Mills (both lifelong residents of Lafayette), along with Pastor Francis Martin, co-founded the first crisis pregnancy center in Lafayette Parish—the Acadiana Crisis Pregnancy Center, now known as A Pregnancy Center and Clinic (APCC). Will, Sandra, and Pastor Martin brought together Catholic and Protestant leaders in the pro-life movement to provide young Lafayette Parish mothers with a choice for life through support and care. At the APCC’s inception, Will worked hard to attain funding and support for the Center while Sandra volunteered in the clinic. Indeed, Sandra discovered she was pregnant for their second child when “testing” out new pregnancy tests for the clinic!
For many years, the APCC held an annual fundraising event at The Hilton Hotel which brought numerous national pro-life speakers to Acadiana to raise funds and public awareness. In the 38 years since the APCC opened its doors, it has saved thousands of babies and helped thousands of mothers in Lafayette Parish. Many of those babies have gone on to become mothers, giving birth and life to another generation.
Will and Sandra have also advocated for the unborn through the Mills Family Foundation, which has supported pro-life centers and ministries throughout the South, including The Desormeaux Foundation, Caring to Love Ministries in Baton Rouge, Opelousas Pregnancy Center, The Source in Houston, TX, and The Hope Pregnancy Center in Temple, TX. Mr. Mills has also been an active supporter of Louisiana Right to Life, Acadiana Right to Life, National Right to Life, and Priests for Life. He has also supported numerous political groups throughout the country help to elect pro-life representatives who will defend the unborn. Some of these groups include the following: the Catholic Advocate, The Susan B. Anthony List, Focus on the Family, Campaign for Working Families, The Family Research Council, and Concerned Women for America.
With the deep convictions of their Christian faith, Will and Sandra Mills have vastly improved our Lafayette community by supporting mothers in crisis and saving the lives of the voiceless. Moreover, they would be the first to say that their passionate support of the pro-life community has allowed them to experience more deeply the saving love of Christ and strengthen their own relationship with the Lord. Will and Sandra have been blessed with six children and seven grandchildren.
Honorees for the 2023 Chers Bébés: Acadiana’s Soirée for Life: Charles “Bob” Theriot
Charles “Bob” Theriot was a devoted husband and father of nine children. He was also a devout Catholic, a musician, and an upstanding business man as an agent for New York Life Insurance.
Beyond being what many friends describe as “a great guy,” Bob Theriot was a fierce defender of life. He was among the early Acadiana pro-life visionaries that knew education and political action were necessary for opposing the pro-abortion forces.
He was an active speaker for the Acadiana Right to Life Speakers Bureau with a gift for sharing the pro-life message in presentations to community organizations and youth groups.
Friends describe him as a mentor who was always willing to share his wisdom. In doing so, he inspired many to become advocates for life, including the founder of St. Landry Right to Life.
Theriot knew that achieving a pro-life culture would not be done in one fell swoop but would rather be the culmination of many small actions taken by a multitude of passionate individuals. He undoubtedly inspired and mentored countless advocates who came after him through both small and grand actions in his dedication to fighting for life.
