For the past few years Hollie Delk Mulé has focused her time – as well as her career – on being a light to the community, and now the Luling resident is in the beginning stages of launching a new non-profit named after her life goal.
“I was born and raised here and a schoolteacher for 16 years at Luling Elementary and then Mimosa,” Mulé said. “I resigned two years ago so that I could do more outside of the classroom. I work full time at my church, Celebration Kenner. It’s very flexible … I can do fundraisers with community members out here. My purpose in life is to show kindness and compassion to others.”
For the past five years Mulé has been active in the local community by orchestrating fundraisers and outreaches. Now she will do all of those same things through her non-profit, which she named Be The Light.
Be The Light’s mission is to show kindness and compassion to others by providing assistance to individuals and families in need due to any hardships in life. The non-profit status will allow Mulé to write grants and accept funding from other organizations.
Mulé, who is a member of the Dat Dads Club and the United Way St. Charles Community Investment Committee, said her desire to serve her community was sparked years ago when she and her family helped a homeless man get back on his feet.
“That was a major thing,” she said. “He is getting married in June … we got him reconnected with his family too. That was the major event in my life. I don’t have to look for people to help … it’s more like I see a need or it’s brought to me and I’m able to organize donations or get a group of volunteers.”
Mulé’s friend Mary Tastet said people know exactly who to go to when they need help.
“So many members of our community know to go to Hollie if someone needs something,” Tastet said. “Anything … housing, food , school supplies, furniture and the list goes on. Over the past few years she had coordinated several fundraisers for Kellie Growl. She not only organizes these events … she is there working as hard or harder than the next person.”
Mulé said that her friendship with Growl – who passed away last month after an eight-year cancer battle – significantly shaped the life of service that she strives to live.
“Kellie and I met in college,” Mulé said. “I got her to student teach with my mom her and we taught together for years.”
Mulé said that both she and Growl taught a young girl named Tiffany. Growl went on to mentor Tiffany throughout the years.
“When Kellie was dying she told me, ‘I need you to do one thing for me … take care of Tiffany,’” she said. “When Kellie told me all this I said, ‘We’re going to get her a home.”
Growl was not there to see it, but this past weekend Mulé delivered Tiffany and her son a camper that was purchased with $9,000 of community donations.
“Whatever need there is I just try my best to fulfill that need,” Mulé said. “It’s all about showing kindness and compassion and showing love.”
Mulé was introduced to Jessica LeBlanc following a community member’s need that arose due to Hurricane Ida. LeBlanc will join her in running Be The Light.
“This is my dream come true,” Mulé said. “It really is.”
For more information on Mulé’s organization, visit www.bethelightoutreach.org or follow the Facebook page @BeTheLightNonprofit.
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