As former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards celebrated his 82nd birthday this past Saturday, efforts continue with a fundraising campaign to replace a stolen, bronze bust of him that was on a monument located on the Acadia Parish Courthouse grounds.

John Gott, an organizer of the project said a tax-free account to collect these funds has been established at Home Bank in Crowley under, “Gov. Edwards Restoration Project.”

The total cost for the replacement of the bust and installation is estimated at $2,000 and fundraising efforts have been underway for just over a week.

The original monument of Edwards, signaling the first person from Acadia Parish to be elected governor, was unveiled by the governor and his family on Friday, May 11, 1973. The monument remained in a uninterrupted state on the courthouse lawn until stolen last year.

Donations can be sent to:

Gov. Edwards Restoration Project

C/O Home Bank

P.O. Box 229

Crowley, La. 70526