Longtime Shell worker loves helping children
When it comes to lending a helping hand, Carmine Frangella simply can’t help himself.
“I just get a lot of satisfaction by helping others and giving back to the community,” said the Norco resident. “We’re very fortunate to live where we do and for everything provided around us, and it’s nice to give back and help with what’s needed.”
Frangella, who has worked for Shell Norco for nearly 27 years since joining its ranks in January of 1991, has long kept his schedule full of positive extracurricular activities, both with Shell and outside the company on his own time. One day he might be reading to school children as part of Shell’s Partners in Education Volunteer program. On another, he’s coaching a youth soccer game.
He’s a board member of the United Way of St. Charles, sits on the Planning and Zoning Commission of District 6 and is an actively engaged safety representative that promotes safety for everyone at the Shell Norco site. He’s a pipe-fitter by craft and also a union leader.
“He truly believes in giving back,” said Shell Norco spokeswoman Rochelle Touchard. “Any kind of activity we do, Carmine seems to be right there in the middle of it. He’s very giving and he does it out of the goodness of his heart. He’s not looking for accolades, he’s just someone who naturally aims to go above and beyond.”
Frangella said he gets that itch to help from his father. Before Frangella moved to St. Charles Parish, he grew up in Michigan, where he observed a father extremely active in the community.
“He was involved with the Lions Club, the Knights of Columbus and the Moose Lodge, which we had up there,” he said. “I used to go with him to help out, and I think that just always stuck with me. So now, wherever there’s a need, I try to chip in.”
His favorite volunteer efforts tend to be those involving children.
“Interacting with kids is probably the best thing,” he said. “I really like reading to them and helping out with Wetland Watchers … mainly having the chance to pass on knowledge and history to the younger generations.”
Touchard said Frangella exemplifies what Shell Norco aims for in being a good neighbor for the community.
“And for Carmine, he knows any impact we have on the community directly impacts his family,” Touchard said. “He wants to make sure we run our business safely and reliably so we don’t negatively impact Carmine as an employee or a resident who’s raising a family here, and the same for any of the other residents of Norco or the surrounding areas.”
Frangella has five children, three of them still at home, one attending Destrehan High School and two attending Harry Hurst Middle School.
Making the time for all of his projects can be a project in itself.
“It can be kind of hard because I do have three children at home. It’s a matter of prioritizing, trying to manage it and not overload myself,” he said.
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