“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
– Coretta Scott King
Residents of Kinder are banding together to conduct a fund raiser for Kinder High’s Softball Head Coach Skip Pickle.
Eight weeks ago, Coach Pickle suffered a stroke on Friday, February 21, which caused a brain bleed. He was hospitalized until Sunday, April 19. Pickle’s wife, Laurie, said they are staying with family in Lake Charles due to physical therapy and the COVID-19 virus. Pickle was scheduled to begin physical therapy three days a week for three hours each day on Tuesday, April 21.
The stroke affected Pickle’s speech and right side. He’s having to learn to redo things we all take for granted. He uses a cane for stability.
“He’s doing so much better. He’s very determined,” Laurie said. “It’s what brought him to this point. He’s a fighter.”
She said Coach Pickle loves to be outside. He’s always on the go and has been tied to the baseball and softball programs at Kinder High for many years. He began working at Kinder High School in the summer of 1995. He worked as a coach with the baseball team for two to three years before coaching softball. His 2019 Lady Jacket team was the state runners-up after losing in the finals to the Mangham Lady Dragons, 9-8, last year.
When he came home Sunday, Laurie said it was the first time they had been together as a family, and it was great. Coach Pickle is the father of three, Jordan, Austin and Grace. Jordan is married to Madison, and Austin is dating Kaleigh.
“Thank you,” Laurie said to all those who have supported their family. “We are so thankful for the overwhelming amount of players and blessings by the Kinder Community.”
And the community is coming together to conduct a fund raiser for Coach Pickle. It’s now known as #skipstrong crawfish benefit. It will be Friday, April 24, in the Cajun Restaurant parking lot, 1315 First Ave., Kinder, beginning at 12 noon. They will remain on site until all crawfish is sold.
Deaton’s Crawfish (Kalob and Whitney) will be selling the crawfish, and organizers said due to the Coronavirus, this will be pick-up orders. It will cost $20 for five pounds of crawfish with one corn and potato or $4.25 a pound. Additional items like corn will be sold for .75 cents each, potatoes for .50 cents, sauce for .35 cents and drinks for $1.
One hundred percent of the proceeds will be given to the Pickle family.
“Coach Skip has done so much for so many in our community, and we would like to give back and show our love and respect for a man who gives so effortlessly to everyone,” organizers said. “Please come out and support a wonderful man and enjoy some delicious crawfish. If you would like to preorder you can call or text 337-550-9623 to place your order or contact us on Facebook™. Please help us show Coach that he is loved and appreciated for all he does for our community. -#skipstrong”