The Eunice Rotary Club’s 2020 Citizen of the Year is Nickie Toups.
The nomination letter written by Elizabeth and Willie Bergeron noted Toups’ love, drive and passion for people and the community. Toups is the administrator at Eunice Manor for the past 5 years. She serves as president of the Eunice Chamber of Commerce and is a Rotary Club member.
Kitty Jo Deshotel, president of the Eunice Rotary Club, added, “Nickie is like an electric ball of energy! She is a ray of sunshine.”
The presentation of the award was given by John Pucheu, chairman of the Eunice Rotary Citizen of the Year. He said, “The way we identify people to recognize for this award is by open nominations from the general public. There are people who deserve to be honored who don’t get nominated.”
Pucheu said, “Many people spend time and effort trying to make Eunice a better place but we want to honor someone who has done something above and beyond the average, someone who devotes themselves to the good of the community because they love Eunice and not just for financial gain or prestige.”
Pucheu added, “Some years we have to choose between a citizen who did something outstanding that particular year and a citizen who was nominated for years of cumulative service. Since our award is designed to focus on recent service, the citizen who gave years of cumulative service may be passed over for a citizen who did something outstanding during the past year.
“If you nominated someone for this award last year or some years ago and they didn’t get chosen, please nominate them again because this might be the year they get selected.”
The nomination letter in its entirety, as follows: “My candidate for the Eunice Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year does not live in Eunice, but her heart belongs to Eunice.
“Years ago, when she first came into the Eunice community and joined the Rotary Club, she spearheaded our annual golf tournament. If you played golf, if you didn’t play golf, or if you hated golf, she made sure you participated in the golf tournament. Her drive and leadership made our tournaments the most successful they had ever been.
“Much is the same with how she reacts to this community. With drive, with passion, with love of people, love of her profession, and love of God. Both feet in the fire and ready to charge ahead!
“In March of 2020, the world as we knew it changed forever. Nursing homes and the vulnerable population that inhabit them were hit with unforeseen forces that we have never faced in our lifetime. Residents, staff, family members alike were to undergo changes and pain like they’ve never experienced before.
“Under her leadership, administration and staff did not succumb to the terror, but instead engaged in combat and protected the residents from this new enemy. She provided the most current and effective training and procedures available. Day after day, they trained, they prepared for the inevitable, the day COVID-19 would make its unwelcomed way into Eunice Manor. Her daily social media posts, keeping family, friends and well wishers up to date with her ever vibrant and in charge attitude reassured so many that were worried, comforted those that were grieving, and gave hope to those that were so concerned. Her faith in God, medicine, and her fellow man gave all who watched and listened inspiration and much needed hope that this would pass.
“Nickie has served as past president of the Eunice Rotary Club, where she’d use her vibrancy to cheer on the club’s members for community outreach projects that we so enjoy doing. She has a passion for offering a helping hand to anyone in need, whether that is a pep talk to a young person offering guidance for their future, helping organize fundraisers for the Rotary, the Eunice Chamber of Commerce, or anyone that asks for assistance. She has been known to spend her free time shopping for displaced hurricane victims who did not know when they would be able to return home.
“Her advocacy for Eunice’s success is as inspirational as her texts she sends to friends and colleagues. The sort of texts you did not know you need until you read them. Psalms, pep talks, quotes she finds encouraging enough to share, little things that put a “pep in your step” and gives you courage to take tasks head on, just as she does.
“These are just some of the reasons I nominate Nickie Toups as our Citizen of the Year. To close, I’ll practice as she does: 1 John 4:19, Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated to us.” The Bergerons, Lizzy and Willie.”
The Eunice Rotary Club has been recognizing outstanding citizens since 1942.
Past recipients include: Rick Nesbitt, 2019; Dale Sittig, 2018; Charles Feucht, 2017; Kimberly Russell, 2016; Jerica Guillory, 2015; Doris Stagg, 2014; Donna Baltakis, 2013; Ginny Moody, 2012; Robin D. Parker, 2011; Alma B. Reed, 2010; Bill Thompson, 2009; Jean McManus, 2008; Harry Reed, 2006; Dr. Bill Nunez, 2005; Susan G. Gaspard, 2004; Pamela P. Quirk, 2003; Norma Jean Miller, 2002; Billy O’Donnell, 2001; Mickey Guillory, 2000; Lynn Lejeune, 1999; Father Jules Arceneaux, 1998; Georgie Manuel, 1997; Pat Dossman and Dwight Jodon as co-recipients, 1996; Clarence Guillory, 1995; Janet Marcantel, 1994; Jerry Hoffpauir, 1993; Dr. Jack Miller, 1992; Curtis Joubert, 1991; Marc Savoy, 1990; Deacon Marius Soileau, 1989; Ivan Miller, 1988; Charles Seale, 1987; Dr. Rodney Landreneau Jr., 1986; Tom Voinche, Jr., 1985; J. Nilas Young, 1984; Karl DeRouen, 1983; Johnny Bourque, 1982; John I. Reed, 1981; Gil Young, 1980; Cliff Broussard Jr., 1979; Joe Nagata, 1978; Fred McClain, 1977; J.E. “Boo” LeDoux, 1976; Johnnie Wasmuth, 1975; Lorita McManus, 1974; Dr. Tom LaHaye, 1973; P.J. Baker, 1972; Harvey Gil, 1971; Joe Doucet, 1970; Wilson Moosa, 1969; Dr. Bernard Fruge, 1968; Dudley Guillory, 1967; “Andy” Jackson, 1966; Leon Tujague Sr., 1965; Mary LaHaye, 1964; Grady Lowe, 1963; Stewart Rozas, 1961; Matt Fruge Sr., 1960; Connie Larson, 1959; Mitch Ashy, 1958; Jack Eaton, 1957; Eugene Picou, 1956; Gladney Manuel, 1955; Matt Vernon, 1954; O.A. LaHaye, 1953; Claudia Morton, 1951; Dr. J. J. Stagg, 1950; Tom Verges, 1949; Ernest Russell, 1948; Msgr. A. A. Martel, 1947; “Cubbie” Parrott, 1946; Clint Mornhinveg, 1945; Chester Derbes, 1944; J.C. Keller Sr., 1943; and Dr. Harry Jenkins, 1942. The club chose not to present the award in 1952, 1962 and 2007.
