The People Project:
Tamara Danel
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | November 10, 2021
Meet Tamara Danel!
Tamara grew up in Terrytown, Louisiana. She was the baby of 4 children. She attended West Jefferson High School, then moved to Hammond to attend Southeastern Louisiana University. She met her husband, David, in 1986 in college. They both got jobs in Hammond, and have never left. They had their only daughter, Emily, in 1993. But, they hosted many international students, both high school and college-aged, for 20 years. They loved always having young people around their home. Tamara has been involved with The Fuller Center after Hurricane Ida, in a consulting capacity. She and David connect The Fuller Center out-of-state employees to local organizations to best optimize resources. She is the proud grandmother to her sweet granddaughters, Sofia (6) and Hadley (2), that she watches and helps homeschool. They adopted their dog, Honey, from the Livingston Parish Animal Shelter, and they also have two large dogs, Scout and Cooper.
We want to thank Tamara for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about her life and her love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: I started volunteering with Habitat for Humanity right after Katrina. That brought me to The Fuller Center where I worked my way up to the Executive Director. I loved it. I loved helping people in our local community, and I loved our mission trips. I decided to retire in February 2020, right before COVID! It was time for my newest and very important role of watching my granddaughters. My new mission is to help raise them to be two loving, kind, and God-loving people.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: This is hard, as I love food! I love the Cate Street Roll from Cate Street Seafood Station. I love the brussels sprouts from Cena and Streetside Market. I love the Four Seasons pizza from Isabella's. The hummus from East of Italy is a must-have, and the veggie plate from Albasha is my go-to order.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Family vacations to Ponte Vedra Beach. My Dad was on the board of Ochsner Baptist Hospital, and they would have their meetings there.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Tuscany. It just looks so beautiful.
Q: What is your favorite television show? What is the first movie you saw in the theater?
A: Seinfield. I also love all the sitcoms I grew up with, Brady Bunch, Gilligan's Island from the 70s and 80s. The first movie I remember seeing with my family was The Sound of Music. First date movie was Mad Max.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Life is short! Don't wait to fulfill items on your bucket list. Do them now! Don't be afraid.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: One was to see The Doobie Brothers and NEEDTOBREATHE in concert, and I have done that! I would like to see more live music in cool venues.
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see?
A: I would always like to see Michael McDonald, NEEDTOBREATHE and David Crowder.
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: The Fuller Center.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with, who is it and where would you go?
A: It would have to be my mentor, Millard Fuller, the co-founder of The Fuller Center. He was so inspiring, it would be a lovely lunch. We would go to some hole-in-the-wall.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: The people, great food and the great opportunities to be outside.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Similar to what I am doing now. Still living in Hammond, doing volunteer work and spending time with my family.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I really love hiking and cycling. I will be riding 400 miles from Nashville to Jackson on the Natchez Trace to raise money for housing poverty soon.
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Family and dogs.
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: A chef! I find figuring out what to feed the family is the hardest part of cooking.
Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
A: Greek and Lebanese.
Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: I sing to the radio.
Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: Last gift I gave was a Lionette cheerleader uniform and a King Cake teether to my baby niece. Last gift I received was a make-up bag and compact from my friend Amanda for being her Matron of Honor in her recent wedding.
Q: What are you known for?
A: Probably working with The Fuller Center. Also for being social and enjoying food, music and people.
Q: What is your favorite 70s jam?
A: Anything classic rock.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: I would want to eat whatever I want without the calories!
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Cycling and hiking.
Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: The caring emoji.
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My granddaughters.
Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: My smart phone and my pillow.
Q: What is the funniest thing that happened to you recently?
A: It wasn't funny when it happened, but is now. After Ida I fell out of bed and was in a lot of pain. With my daughter being in the police force, I got a police escort to the hospital in an ambulance! It was wild.
Q: If you won the lottery, what would be the first 3 things you would purchase or spend money on?
A: A mother-in-law suite, a trip to Tuscany with David and give some to a church and/or a nonprofit.
Tamara nominated Holly Meaux Husser
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
We love meeting, knowing, and working with our community, and we love working with homes and all types of properties. Helping our community achieve their goals through buying and selling property is something we consider ourselves very fortunate to get to do. Contact one of our REALTORS® if we can help!
