The City was asked to seek to engage the services a UPS “Big Brown” program that could help provide window air conditioning units and perhaps some basic home repairs for underprivileged families when Police Chief Johnny Ray Carpenter and citizen Shelia Mitchell spoke up February 13.

During the Audience Participation segment of the City Council’s regular meeting, the chief accompanied Ms. Mitchell to the microphone to talk about the idea.  “Last summer she tried to get cooperation from the city to call UPS’s ‘Big Brown’ but without success.  So we were able to help only a few families,” Carpenter explained.”

The United Parcel Service website shows that “James ‘Big Brown’ Joseph started raising money to buy room air conditioners for disadvantaged people on his UPS route in Louisiana. Helping others made him happy, so he expanded his philanthropy to now include the Big Brown Cares Fund.

The council head that several surrounding parishes apparently contacted “Big Brown” and received assistance for some residents.  Winnfield did not reach out so help here was limited.  Ms. Mitchell said she has the contact information for James Joseph in New Orleans and added that now, during the cold months of winter, is a good time to start a request before the heat of summer arrives.  “Our citizens need this.”

Carpenter said that the Big Brown program requires that a request for assistance must come from a homeowner (or with permission of the homeowner) and that it is for anyone in need who can’t afford the cooling unit.  There is no cost, he said.