2013 L.D. McLaughlin Benefit Features Paula Deen

Plans are well underway for the second annual L.D. McLaughlin Benefit on August 29, 2013 at the Ozark Civic Center. This year's event will feature America's favorite cook, restaurateur, author and philanthropist, Paula Deen. As one of the many charity events that she participates in each year, Paula Deen is donating her time to appear at this year's event to honor her longtime friend Dr. Connie Chandler. This years event will begin at 5 pm with a sponsor's meal, meet and greet and photo opportunity. The doors will open at 6:15 for general addmission ticket holders with the program beginning at 7pm. Proceeds from the event will benefit the L.D. McLaughlin Memorial Fund for capital improvements to better serve the healthcare needs of the community.

Charity is a big part of what Paula Deen is all about. It is unfortunate that the recent controversy surrounding remarks made in years past have overshaddowed all the good she has done to help others less fortunate. American's by nature are forgiving people, of which she has asked. One charity in which she is very passionate is, "The Bag Lady Foundation," which was named after one of her very first businesses she started during an extremely difficult time in her life. In 1989, after her marriage of 25-years ended in divorce, she was left with only $200 and money was tight raising both her kids and her younger brother, Earl ("Bubba"). She tried hanging wallpapper, working as a bank teller, selling real estate and insurance. She then started a catering service, making sandwiches and meals, which her sons Jamie and Bobby delivered and named it, "The Bag Lady." Deen's home business soon out grew her kitchen and from there... the "Deen dream" took off.

"I think back on those tough times and remember how hard we worked to pull ourselves up by our boot-straps," said Paula Deen. It was a difficult time for us, but an experience that made me and my sons stronger. My legacy is to encourage people to reach way down in their souls and find their inner strength to overcome their troubles. That is why I am so excited about the Bag Lady Foundation which will help those in poverty deal with the challenges they face in their daily lives."

Deen is well known for her Southern Cooking passion, having sold more than 8,000,000 of her 14 cookbooks and received an Emmy Award Nomination for her work as host of "Paula's Best Dishes." Deen's landmark restaurant The Lady & Sons, based in Savannah, Georgia, has been the launch pad for her successful career.

Make plans to attend an evening with Paula Deen, it will prove to be an evening of laughter and entertainment. Tickets are available at the Ozark Civic Center and Ozark Chamber of Commerce. For more information please call 334-774-2601.