Cleco employees raised approximately $80,000 for Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, a not-for-profit public charity that runs Toys for Tots, which provides toys to economically disadvantaged children during the holiday season and beyond.

The employee-led Cleco Charitable Golf Tournament, in its seventh year, was held on Nov. 7 at Cane Row Golf & Turf Club in New Iberia. Each year, Cleco employees select an organization to award the proceeds from the event. Previous recipients include Folds of Honor, Lions Club of Louisiana and Special Olympics Louisiana.

“Hosting the tournament allows employees to come together with our partners to make a meaningful impact in Louisiana,” said Lance LeBlanc, Chair of Cleco’s Charitable Golf Tournament. “Partnering with Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is an opportunity to help make the holidays a little brighter for children across Louisiana.”

The donation will be used to directly benefit children in Cleco’s 24-parish service area. Additionally, Cleco employees are collecting toys for the Toys for Tots program.

"Partnering with community-oriented businesses like Cleco enables us to bring joy to children in Louisiana who need it most,” said Colonel Ted Silvester USMC (Retired), VP of Marketing & Development, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “The golf tournament hosted by Cleco demonstrates the power of community in action and the impact we can bring together assisting families in need."

Cleco would like to thank the employees, players and sponsors who helped make the 2024 Charitable Golf Tournament a success.