The donation of a house at 413 N. Bradford by the directors of the Rayne Building and Loan Association means that another victim of the March 5, 2011 tornado will have a new home.

Members of the Rayne Tornado Long-Term Coalition met with directors of the Rayne Building and Loan Association Tuesday morning to acknowledge the generous donation.

The gathering followed the Coalition’s meeting during which it was reported that work is progressing well on restoring the tornado damaged homes identified only as Case No. 16 and Case No. 31. Only one of the 48 cases handled by the Coalition with donations and volunteer and contract labor still remains.

Claire Benoit, Association president, was joined by Board Chairman Clyde Leger and Director Jimmy Prevost at the site where members of the Rayne Police Department’s inmate work details are refurbishing the house’s interior and exterior.

Representing the Coalition where Chairwoman Angela Morrison of United Way of Acadian, Vice-Chairman Carroll Stelly, Treasurer Kerry Stutes, Secretary Polly Koury, Case Manager Ronda Trahan, Project Director Tommy Bergeron and members Cheryl Richard and Albert Johnson.

The donation grew out of a discussion by board directors regarding “Home for the Holidays”, explained Benoit, after which Jimmy Prevost contacted Chief Stelly. That contact transformed into Association directors approving the donation of the foreclosed property.

During the meeting, Chairwoman Morrison announced the annual meeting of United Way of Acadiana on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at a 7 a.m. breakfast at the Cajundome’s convention center.

Morrison added that General Russell Honoré will be the program’s guest speaker.

The Coalition also announced plans to host a “Time of Remembrance” on the one year anniversary of the tornado Monday, March 5.

The tone of the gathering will be the renewal and rebirth of the community in the wake of the disaster, as well as acknowledging the businesses, organizations and individuals who assisted in the recovery work.