Detective Keniel Henry of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office goes ALL out for his own birthday. No, he doesn’t buy himself expensive presents or dine out on fancy cuisine. Instead, Detective Henry throws himself a huge birthday party of sorts, but instead of receiving gifts, he’s the one giving them. That’s right! For the past eight years, Detective Henry has commemorated the day of his birth by spending it with family and strangers at a festive cookout. As his birthday approaches, Keniel, his wife Sharanda, and his mom Joy Brown, begin making supply lists and planning for the cookout. The goal for Detective Henry and his crew: cook for and deliver the food to the homeless people staying under the Claiborne Ave/I-10 overpass in New Orleans. You see, Keniel feels deeply that he is blessed and so he is always looking for ways to bless others. He has been heard saying that there isn’t anything he really wants or needs so giving to others has become his priority. On Detective Henry’s actual birthday, July 9, he and his family load up all the supplies he has purchased with his own money and organized during his free time and he ventures to Downtown New Orleans. Once there, the crew lays out a spread of hamburgers, hot dogs, ham and turkey sandwiches, chips, and red beans and rice. Detective Henry mingles with the individuals getting to know their stories and making sure their bellies are full of delicious food, at least for one day. Keniel’s department head, Sheriff Mike Tregre, was quoted as saying, “It is inspiring to the entire department to see Detective Henry perform this act of kindness and generosity year after year during which he gives of his time and resources to help others. He truly enjoys giving back to the community.” Not to be outdone by his summertime giving celebration, in January 2021, Detective Henry began a donation drive to gather blankets and warm clothes for the same community of homeless individuals. Keniel used his social media accounts and word-of-mouth to solicit for donations, even offering to pick up donations himself. He and a group of friends and colleagues personally delivered the donations to the homeless encampment.