State Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Bogalusa, is gearing up for her second year as a competitor the Heroes Who Cook event, one of St. Tammany’s most vibrant and lively parties.

But she said underneath the friendly team competition, delicious food and gala atmosphere is a serious purpose — meeting the growing needs of child abuse victims in St. Tammany and Washington parishes.

“We may be having fun, eating sushi and competing with what seems like silliness. But this is heavy stuff. The seriousness is that Hope House is providing for these kids who don’t have a lot of options,” she said.

Mizell worked for 16 years as a court appointed special advocate, volunteers appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect, and said she’s seen firsthand

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