Mayor Cantrell applauds efforts, calls for continued service in 2019
NEW ORLEANS – The 2018 NOLA Foundation and its Community Engagement Committee – in partnership with United Way of Southeast Louisiana, HandsOn New Orleans and NetWork Volunteers – revealed totals for the successful 300,000 Hours for the Next 300 Tricentennial volunteer challenge presented by Entergy Corporation at an event on Dec. 31, 2018.
Challenge leaders reported the initiative engaged 29,349 volunteers in 347,290 hours of service for a total impact of $8,574,590 in 2018. The announcement culminated the Allstate Sugar Bowl Community Service Event at Audubon Gentilly school.
300,000 Hours for the Next 300 called on residents and tourists to show their support for New Orleans by participating in volunteer projects. The campaign honored the work of A.P. Tureaud, Jerome Smith, Rudolph Lombard, Oretha Castle Haley and countless other civil rights activists by making improvements to schools and community buildings and spaces.
“I am deeply proud of our City’s men, women, and youth who helped us exceed our 300,000 for 300 Tricentennial Volunteer Challenge with 347,290 hours of service,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “I hope our residents continue to rise to the call of service in 2019, as the needs of New Orleans and her people are great. We have vital physical and human infrastructure needs, and the well-being of the City depends on us continuing to do better.”
The nonprofits with the most hours accumulated include SBP (65,706), Second Harvest Food Bank (40,615) and lowernine.org (26,180). In total, 80 organizations across the city participated in the volunteer challenge.
“The results of this challenge – over $8.5 million in impact – show the amazing things that can be accomplished when we work together,” said Michael Williamson, UWSELA President & CEO. “These volunteer efforts created direct savings for local nonprofits, schools and community organizations, creating a better, stronger city for the next 300 years.”
300,000 Hours for the Next 300 capped off a year of successes under the 2018 NOLA Foundation, the support organization to the city’s 300th anniversary.
“The city’s Tricentennial commemoration can be considered complete with this announcement,” stated Mark Romig, President and CEO of the 2018 NOLA Foundation. “One of the core elements of the year was the opportunity to involve citizens in public service, and with the expert leadership of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana along with HandsOn and Volunteer Network, the goal was not only met but exceeded, and the city has grown and benefited in invaluable ways.”
Entergy Corporation graciously sponsored the volunteer challenge to help raise awareness and provide stipends to participating nonprofits.
“There is no better way to mark the Tricentennial than by coming together as neighbors committed to building an even better, brighter and more equitable future for our great city,” said Patty Riddlebarger, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Entergy Corporation. “Entergy Corporation is proud to support the efforts of all of the nonprofit partners and volunteers who made this possible.”
Individuals interested in further volunteer opportunities are encouraged to visit United Way’s HandsOn Volunteer Center at https://www.handsonneworleans.org/.
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About the 2018 NOLA Tricentennial
The 2018 NOLA Foundation is a 501c3 organization that supports the New Orleans Tricentennial. The celebration of the 300th anniversary marks where New Orleans has been, as well as where the city is going. The Tricentennial focuses on the city’s authenticity and diversity of its people and its culture and tells the story of 300 years of resiliency, economic growth, and prosperity.
About United Way of Southeast Louisiana
For more than 90 years, United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) has been a leader and trusted partner in improving lives and making a lasting difference. We fight to eradicate poverty by preparing people for quality jobs, growing incomes, and affording better health and education opportunities throughout Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. We have a bold vision of equitable communities where all individuals are healthy, educated, and financially stable – and we have a plan. United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Blueprint for Prosperity guides all strategic investments in programs, initiatives, collaborations, volunteerism, and advocacy aimed at tackling poverty. For more information, please visit UnitedWaySELA.org. Find us on social: @UnitedWaySELA.
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