NGO Funding Request


The recipient entity's full legal name:  Catholic Cemetery Restoration Project, Inc.

The recipient entity's physical address:
           *** Confidential Address ***

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           C/O RICHARD D MORENO
PO BOX 149
LAKE CHARLES, LA 70602-0149


Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Patrick Webb
Margret Schmitt
Roland Bodin


The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  6979

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $25,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           RICHARD D MORENO, RESIDENT AND DIRECTOR
PO BOX 149
LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601

ARIC POHORELSKY, SECRETARY-TREASURER AND DIRECTOR
PO Box 5400
Lake Charles, LA 70606-5400

FATHER ROMMEL TOLENTINO, DIRECTOR
935 Bilbo Street
lake Charles, LA 70601


Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The historic (Old) Catholic Cemetery, located in downtown Lake Charles, Louisiana, was opened to burials in 1861 on a one-acre tract donated by an early Lake Charles pioneer, William Hutchins. Burials began and continued during and after the Civil War. As early as 1887 reports were that the unfenced Cemetery had become a "wild pasture." Soon thereafter it was fenced and damaged graves were repaired. Repairs and maintenance were sparse thereafter. In 1915 the Cemetery was closed to burials. Since 1915, time, weather and vandalism have taken their toll on the graves and markers. A considerable number of graves are no longer identified and numerous markers and graves have been damaged or vandalized.

The Catholic Cemetery Restoration Project, an all volunteer organization, began in 1997 with the goal to document the historic burials and to restore this historic cemetery which played an integral part in the history of Southwest Louisiana. Restoration challenges arise from the nineteenth century material used for graves and headstones which require specialized materials and techniques to properly restore and maintain. A secondary challenge arises from vandalism over the century since the Cemetery was closed. The vandals have damaged a multitude of graves and headstones, each of which will require repair and restoration to preserve the historical value.

The requested funds will be used to assess, repair and restore the Cemetery perimeter fencing, graves and markers, with professional assistance as required to assure use of proper methods and materials appropriate for the nineteenth and early twentieth century graves and markers. The immediate goal of the restoration project is restore as many graves and markers as possible and to identify the graves of known burials where markers have been removed or damaged. Once this phase is completed, the corporation will move into a permanent preservation role to assure the Cemetery does not revert to its unattended condition.

In October 2018, the Southwest Louisiana Art Council hosted a Living Cemetery Tour which included the Catholic Cemetery. Local actors portrayed some of the persons interred in the Cemetery. The restoration project has as an ultimate goal to inspire continued interest in this and the several other historic cemeteries in Lake Charles by prudent repairs and restoration.


What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $7,500
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $17,500
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The Cemetery restoration project has as an ultimate public purpose to inspire continued public interest in this Louisiana historic cemetery for present and future generations, and to preserve the Cemetery for historical researchers.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The Catholic Cemetery Restoration Project has a primary goal to document the historic burials and to restore this historic cemetery which played an integral part in the history of Southwest Louisiana. Efforts include restoration of nineteenth century materials used for graves and headstones though use of historically appropriate specialized materials and techniques to preserve the historical knowledge and value.

Professional assistance as required to assure use of proper methods and materials appropriate for the nineteenth and early twentieth century graves and markers. The immediate goal of the restoration project is restore as many graves and markers as possible and to identify the graves of known burials where markers have been removed or damaged. Once this phase is completed, the corporation will move into a permanent preservation role to assure the Cemetery does not revert to its unattended condition.


What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           One-two years after adequate funding

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 N/A
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 N/A

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 N/A

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  N/A

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               N/A

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               N/A

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                N/A

          What is the nature of the relationship?  N/A

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 N/A

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               N/A


Contact Information
name:  Richard Moreno 
                                       address:  PO Box 149
Lake Charles,LA 70602-0149

                                       phone:  337-656-8654
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  hp@rdmorenolaw.com
                                       relationship to entity:  President , Director and Volunteer member