For Immediate Release

August 20, 2015

Contact: Tammy Sharp

Public Information Director
337.238.2283

Community Rallies Behind Infant Child of City Employee After Open-Heart Surgery

LEESVILLE, La.-- The East Leesville United Pentecostal Church will be having a benefit singing and cake auction for baby Nate, infant son of City employee Nathaniel and Kaylea Perkins.

The event will take place at 7 p.m., August 21, 2015. East Leesville United Pentecostal Church is located at 197 Alexandria Hwy, Leesville, LA 71446. All are invited to attend.

Nathaniel Perkins is the Safety Officer for the Public Works Department at the City of Leesville. His infant son, Baby Nate, was born April 25 with Trisomy 21, or Downs Syndrome. Further testing revealed that that Baby Nate also had a 9 mm vintricular septal defect (VSD) and would need surgery to repair it. The family traveled to Boston this week in order for Baby Nate to have open-heart surgery to repair the VSD.

"We hope everyone can come out to support the Perkins family in their time of need," said Leesville Mayor Rick Allen. "I personally would like to encourage all our residents to rally behind this family with their thoughts and prayers."

Funds raised during the benefit singing will go to help the family with medical costs.

There will also be a benefit 5k/1 Mile Walk in honor of baby Nate at 8 a.m. Sept. in DeRidder at Pinewood Elementary School. The theme for the race is superheros.

For a full article about baby Nate by Pamela Sleezer of the Lake Charles American Press click here. To view the Facebook event for the 5k click here. To view the Facebook event for the ELUPC benefit singing click here.

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The City of Leesville, the best hometown in the world, is a historic yet visionary community. As the parish seat of Vernon Parish, where Fort Polk and the Joint Readiness Training Center are located, the City of Leesville is home to military families, retired veterans and a growing and strongly patriotic citizenry that provides the basis of a well-rounded and work-ready workforce.

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