By Brittany Thibodeaux

Two young girls have organized a fund-raiser to be held on Aug. 18 in memory of Allie Powell, who drowned last month after being caught in deadly rip currents.

The fund-raiser is set up to assist the children in Haiti, all of the money collected from the fund-raiser will be donated to the children.

Also set up, is the Allie Powell Missions Fund.

Allie had participated on missions in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Haiti. In addition there will be a Allie Powell Missions Fund. The website: alliepowellmissions.com is loaded with videos, pictures, her story, her family’s story, ways to get involved and more.

Her family wishes to increase her missions fund in order to help with her project in Haiti.

Allie, daughter of the Rev. Jeff and Jane Powell of Alachua, Fla., died June 7 at age 13. Jeff Powell is the brother of Tiffani Heinen of Eunice.

Off of South Walton Beach, Allie, her brother Tyler and her cousin Anna Claire Heinen were walking along the beach together.

They were all in knee-high water when a wave hit them, pulling the sand from beneath their feet, and dragging them out to sea.

Tiffani Heinen stated, “Tyler knew what was happening, and told the girls to swim to the side. And so they tried but were unable to do so.”

“A man then came to help the kids and caught a hold of Tyler and Anna Claire. At one point, he also had Allie, but lost her. Her dad then came up to help rescue them and also had a hold on her but lost her as well due to the rip current,” said Heinen.

Heinen continued, “Her dad finally found her, and after mutliple tries at CPR, Allie was already gone. Jeff said that he had almost drowned, if it wouldn’t have been for the lifeguards who threw out a buoy.”

The lifeguards told them “that was the worst rip current they had ever seen.”

Allie was a very “girly” girl. She loved bright colors, fashion, and she wanted to become a dancer, Heinen said.

Anna Claire Heinen and close friend Emily Sonnier recently got together and came up with “Allie Day”, a day filled with fun activities for young girls.

Zumba will be taught, thanks to Hollie Bertrand, Rhiannon Thibodeaux, and Stephanie Trahan. Hair will be done by Laurie Cormier of La Nouvelle Salon. Dusty Sonnier will also be in attendance with Tranquil Retreat Salon. Crystal Pedigo of Spoiled Rotten will also be sponsoring a few door prizes. Also, the Heinen sisters will be accompanying the girls to make this day very special.

The girls are asking anyone having clothes, shoes or toys that are old or outgrown, to donate them as well to be given to the kids in Haiti.

This day will be for girls ages five to eight. It will be held at Monty Heinen’s home at 3458 Highway 190, Eunice, on Aug. 18, from 1-5 p.m. The cost per person is $40 and all of the money will be donated to the children in Haiti.

For girls older than eight, there will be another “Allie Day” in October to celebrate the month in which Allie was born, for girls ages nine to 13.

Attending in October will be the LSU Golden Girls. This “Allie Day” is intended to be the first of many, with all proceeds going to the Allie Powell Missions Fund.

“Come and join us for some girly fun!” stated Anna Claire Heinen.

To register for the August date, call 337-580-1774 or 337-789-9277 by Aug. 12.