New Orleans Habitat - Operation Home Delivery Blog

New Home by the Fair Grounds

Just steps from the New Orleans Fair Grounds, staff of the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course, jockey Robby Albarado, New Orleans City Council member Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, and NOAHH volunteers gathered to raise walls on a brand-new home for Charles and Joylene Baker.

Randy Soth and Stacy Sims of the Fair Grounds (a Churchill Downs company), spoke about their House Sponsorship with New Orleans. The Fair Grounds collaborated with NOAHH to sponsor a home that would be in the contiguous neighborhood of the grounds, to help in the area’s revival. Now, the Fair Grounds' staff and visitors will be able to watch the building of the house progress in their piece of New Orleans.

Councilwoman Morrell praised the work of the homeowners, Habitat, and the Fair Grounds. Stating that “Homeownership is where the ‘new’ New Orleans is going,” the councilwoman told Charles and Joylene that they would be a pillar on the block. The work of Habitat, Morrell said, creates “safe homes in good communities with good neighbors looking out for each other.”

Charles and Joylene Baker are native New Orleanians; Charles was raised in the 7^th Ward, and Joylene was raised in the Carrollton area. The Bakers have three grown children and four grandchildren. Charles is a first class shipfitter, and Joylene worked many years in health care, now working at an antique store. At the wall-raising ceremony, Joylene Baker spoke about how much the volunteers working on her new home meant to her: “I lost hope, but when I looked at them, they renewed my spirit.”

   

 

The walls go up!

 

 

RetroTrek Donates with its New Orleans Label

 

Having New Orleans as a second home, I, as many, felt the impact of devastation from Hurricane Katrina.  I felt for my neighbors, friends, and the entire city itself. Personally, I was thankful that my house did not sustain major damage. I am blessed to have had all the repairs done with the help of my insurance company. But as I looked around the neighborhood and the city, the damage seemed overwhelming. So, I searched for a way I could contribute to the rebuilding efforts.  New Orleans deserved better than it was receiving.

Having just started a new business, I saw an opportunity to do my part. RetroTrek produces luggage labels designed to help locate your bags at the airport baggage claim. New Orleans became the second city in a series to be depicted on the labels, based on the idea of the old colorful travel stickers placed on steamer trunks and suitcases.  I am very proud of the results that RetroTrek's talented exclusive artist, Pete Marenfeld, accomplished.  The label seems to capture both the spirit of the city as well as a retro look.  And I am very proud to be able to contribute something back to a city that has given me so much with its hospitality.

I am pleased to be working with the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity; and have found a way to make a difference.  Half of the profits from the New Orleans label go to Habitat.  Orders can be placed on the website, RetroTrek.com, with free shipping, or through EBay's MissionFish. Though it may be only a small part, in numbers, it can do a lot to make a difference.

May New Orleans be revived with Spirit through our many collective efforts.

Best Wishes,
Dale DeNunzio
President of RetroTrek, LLC

 

Lance Armstrong works to help survivors of cancer and Katrina

HARVEY, La. — Cycling champion Lance Armstrong brought more than 50 volunteers to this New Orleans suburb to help build homes for needy families Tuesday.

Wearing a ball cap, T-shirt and tool belt, Armstrong toured one of about a dozen homes under construction. Saying he'd "never hammered anything before," he helped nail siding to a front porch — with his first attempt resulting in a bent nail that he had to remove and drive again.

"You put a roof over somebody's head, they will not go back into poverty," he told a news conference at the Harvey site, where he announced his foundation is donating $50,000 to the New Orleans area Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat has roughly 200 homes currently under construction in the New Orleans area but plans to build 1,500 homes over the next five years, said Jim Pate, executive director of the New Orleans Habitat organization.

Armstrong's donation brings to $500,000 the total his Lance Armstrong Foundation has given to the region since Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005.

On Tuesday, he recounted how his foundation helped cancer patients evacuate New Orleans in Katrina's wake and get necessary treatment in other cities.

"It was one of the proudest moments in the life of this foundation, because we acted so quickly," he said.

The Austin, Texas-based foundation was established in 1997. Since the storm, it has provided more than 1,000 storm victims with housing, transportation and other basic needs.

Gov. Bobby Jindal, who attended Tuesday's news conference along with Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, said Louisiana has the highest cancer mortality rate of any state. Armstrong said he would do public service announcements on the subject and whatever he could to spread the message that early detection saves lives.

"Early detection leads to cures," he said.

Armstrong was diagnosed 12 years ago with testicular cancer that spread to his lungs and brain. But he recovered to win the Tour de France from 1999 to 2005.

Armstrong plans to run the Boston Marathon in April to raise money for his foundation, which supports cancer research, prevention and better care for cancer survivors. Armstrong and others running for the foundation raised about $500,000 at last year's New York City Marathon.

On the Net:

Lance Armstrong Foundation, http://www.livestrong.org

Article courtesy of Associated Press.

Check out Lance Armstrong's blog with comments and pictures from the Habitat site: http://livestrongblog.org/

 

Join Nomura's Team in the rebuilding effort in New Orleans

On February 6-8, 2008, members of Nomura’s Real Estate Finance team will be rebuilding homes in and around the city of New Orleans. We hope to help raise awareness and to be part of the ongoing effort to provide simple, decent and affordable housing in partnership with families in need in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Katrina was the costliest and one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history, and two and a half years after the destruction, the city of New Orleans is still very much in need of outside assistance.  Nomura's team members are contributing their own financial and physical resources for three days in February to rebuilding homes and fundraising for NOAHH (New Orleans Habitat for Humanity). We invite you to join us or consider making a financial contribution to the effort. 

To make a donation, please go to: https://secure.toolsfororgs.com/habitat-nola.org/donate/donateonline.php and make sure to write NOMURA in the Comments section at the very bottom of the page.

Should you have any question or require additional information, please contact Jacqueline Lee at jalee@us.nomura.com or at (310) 348-3140.

Thank you in advance for your support. 

Harris Corporation Donates $10,000 to NOAHH during American Meteorological Society conference

Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), an international communications and information technology company, has donated $10,000 to the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity to assist with the rebuilding of homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The check was presented during a reception sponsored by Harris during the annual American Meteorological Society (AMS) conference being held January 20 through 24 in New Orleans. Guests at the Harris reception also made voluntary donations to the effort, raising an additional $1,355 through raffle and outright donations. Harris is a leading supplier of weather systems to the Federal Aviation Administration and other customers. The company provided communications equipment and personnel to recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast Region in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction.

In addition, a number of Harris employees attending the AMS Conference traveled to New Orleans early to participate in construction of a Habitat home on January 18.  The New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH), celebrating 25 years of building homes in New Orleans, is leading an unprecedented rebuilding effort in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  During 2008, NOAHH plans to build hundreds of new homes in the New Orleans area.

"Hurricane Katrina was one of the defining meteorological events of our time and we are proud to be able to assist the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity in its efforts to rebuild the homes and lives of people affected by the storm," said Jeremy Wensinger, group president of Harris Government Communications Systems. "We extend our appreciation to our industry partners and to AMS for their support of this event, as well as to all individuals who donated their own time and money to help the residents of New Orleans."

Established in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International has built and rehabilitated more than 225,000 homes worldwide for families in need, sheltered more than 1,000,000 people in more than 3,000 communities worldwide, and continues to become a true world leader in addressing the needs and issues associated with providing affordable housing. Harris employees support ongoing Habitat for Humanity efforts in U.S. cities where the company has major operations.

About Harris Corporation
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual revenue of over $4 billion and 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications™ products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

Musicians' Village and Helen Gillet Video

Check out this video tour of the Musicians' Village and the house of Helen Gillet, a formerly displaced local cellist!

Helen Gillet and Musicians' Village on current.com

Produced by Mark Morris Productions

JDA Software Group and NOAHH Partner Family Dedicate a New Home

Just before Hurricane Katrina, Nicole received a promotion at her job and was in the process of buying a home; when the storm struck New Orleans, her opportunity at homeownership was washed away. Now, thanks to a partnership with New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity and JDA Software Group, Inc., she has another chance to move into her first home with her son, Merlin Jr.

Nicole and Merlin celebrated the dedication of their new home in the Upper Ninth Ward with JDA Software Group and volunteers and staff of NOAHH. The sponsorship was made possible by funds raised by the JDA’s annual users’ conference, which the company then matched, enough to construct an entire new home. Chris Koziol, Chief Operating Officer of JDA, said that the company wanted to support the rebirth of New Orleans as the company re-energized itself.  He also noted that JDA decided to help a NOAHH Partner Family build a home because “It’s the responsibility of a corporation to give back to their communities.”

The brand-new, affordable home and a recent promotion at her new job are a bright start to 2008 for Nicole and Merlin, after the difficult rebuilding process. Nicole’s words about how she and Merlin overcame their post-Katrina trials are a testament to her optimism and hard work – “Even when things looked gloomy, we never gave up hope.”

About the House Sponsor – JDA Software Group, Inc.

JDA® Software Group, Inc. is focused on helping companies realize real supply chain and revenue management results – fast. JDA Software delivers integrated merchandising as well as supply chain and revenue management planning, execution, and optimization solutions for the consumer-driven supply chain and services industries. Through its industry leading solutions, leading manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and services companies around the world are growing their businesses with greater predictability and more profitably.

For more information on JDA Software, visit www.jda.com, contact us at info@jda.com or call +1.800.479.7382.

FTD Rose Parade Float Pays Tribute to New Orleans by Featuring Hurricane Katrina Survivors and Musicians’ Village Residents

FTD float riders include Mardi Gras Indian Cherice Harrison-Nelson and local musicians from Shamarr Allen Band

Downers Grove, IL (December 26, 2007) -- Florists’ Transworld Delivery, Inc. (FTD), a leading provider of floral products and services, is celebrating its 55^th year in the Rose Parade® by honoring the residents of New Orleans and reveling in the “Magic of Mardi Gras.” The 2008 FTD float riders are all Hurricane Katrina survivors and residents of the newly-constructed New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village, a neighborhood being built in the hurricane-destroyed Upper Ninth Ward.

The FTD float entry, appearing on January 1, 2008 in the 119^th Rose Parade, will project the merriment and brilliance of Mardi Gras that has been celebrated for more than 300 years in New Orleans. Featuring more than 100,000 roses, the glittering style and carefree folly of costumed revelers, music and dance is magnificently captured in the float’s floral juxtaposition of color and excitement.

Float Riders from New Orleans

The float consists of three floral arenas – two of which feature New Orleanians who are residents of the newly-constructed New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village and survived Hurricane Katrina. The front area has an oversized sculpture lion, bedecked in opulent royal jewels and a platform carrying Mardi Gras Indian Cherice Harrison-Nelson, the Counsel Queen of the Guardians of the Flame Mardi Gras Indian Group and educator, in her elaborate ritual attire. Mardi Gras Indians have been a historic part of the celebration since the 19^th century.

Taking center stage are ornately carved and vividly colorful busts of jesters and Carnival Queen characters that slowly spin on a rotating crown amid floral fireworks and exploding stars. The entire center section of the float, featuring a large crown, jesters and Carnival Queen heads, rotates 360 degrees, and will have a lavishly costumed woman perched high on top of the crown.

The third floral area on the float displays velvety royal robes, draping from a crown of solid roses creating the curtain for the rear platform stage where New Orleans style jazz will be performed live by trumpeter Shamarr Allen and his band. Shamarr Allen was born in New Orleans and has been immersed in music since the age of 7.  He has played with some of New Orleans’ most prominent jazz musicians including Harry Connick Jr., Branford Marsalis and Aaron Neville, and also runs a weekly music clinic for middle and high school children interested in jazz in New Orleans.

In honor of the 2008 Rose Parade float riders, FTD is helping to spread the message of this unique community at www.FTD.COM/NewOrleans, where 10% of each product purchased will be donated to the New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village project, which includes the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music. (www.NOLAmusiciansvillage.org)

FTD’s 55^th Float Entry

The 2008 Rose Parade marks FTD’s 55^th year as a parade participant, making FTD the longest running commercial participant in the Rose Parade today. As the Official Floral Company of the Tournament of Roses, FTD’s continued presentation of stunning floral entries never fails to support the Rose Parade’s tradition of excellence. Since FTD’s first entry in the Rose Parade, FTD has received 36 trophies for outstanding floats, including the grand prize Sweepstakes Trophy in 2007 and 2006.

FTD’s 55^th Rose Parade float entry, “The Magic of Mardi Gras,” is a tribute to the colorful history of Mardi Gras and honors the residents of New Orleans who are working to re-build their lives and homes post-Hurricane Katrina. The colors of Mari Gras are featured throughout the float; purple represents justice, green stands for faith and gold for power.  Topiary orbs of roses, in various color tones, float over gardens of 60,000 vibrant red Charlotte roses.  Crowns of golden strawflower petals are imbedded with thousands of bright scarlet red Rouge Baiser roses.  Jesters and Carnival Queen costuming, predominantly in Mari Gras colors, will be embellished with an array of roses.

Décor for the Tournament of Roses

As the Official Floral Company of the Tournament of Roses, FTD donates hundreds of thousands of flowers to the events surrounding the Rose Parade to help bring to life the historic events. The flowers are seen starting with the announcement of the Grand Marshal of the Rose Parade and the announcement of the competing Rose Bowl Game^® teams.   FTD also spreads cheer throughout the Wrigley Mansion, the home to the Tournament of Roses, with exquisite holiday décor. 

“The Rose Parade is a very special event that embodies the spirit and purpose of FTD – to share the beauty of flowers,” said Michael Soenen, FTD CEO and President. “We are proud to be the Official Floral Sponsor of the Tournament of Roses, and bring joy and merriment to the millions of people worldwide that watch the parade in Pasadena and at home on television.”   

In addition, FTD also sponsors the decoration of the official cars, which carry the President of the Tournament of Roses, the Grand Marshal of the Parade and the Mayor of Pasadena down the parade route. FTD sponsors Houston, Texas resident and FTD Design Instructor J. Keith White AIFD to lead the design and decoration of the official cars in the parade.

About FTD Group, Inc.

FTD Group, Inc. is a leading provider of floral related products and services to consumers and retail florists, as well as other retail locations offering floral products, in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland. The business utilizes the highly recognized FTD and Interflora brands, both supported by the Mercury Man logo, which is displayed in approximately 45,000 floral shops worldwide. The consumer businesses operate primarily through the www.ftd.com Web site in the U.S. and Canada and the www.interflora.co.uk Web site in the U.K. and are complemented by the florist businesses which provide products and services to the Company’s independent members.

Greater New Orleans Hotel & Lodging Association and New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity Announce a First of its Kind “Industry Focused” Partnership to Build New Homes for Hotel & Hospitality Employees in Need of Housing

In front of television cameras and surrounded by chefs, housekeepers, concierges, porters, and hotel managers, Jim Pate, Executive Director of New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH) announced today a new partnership for NOAHH in its efforts to support families who need affordable housing in New Orleans.

The Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association (GNOHLA) and NOAHH are launching a large-scale “industry focused” construction effort which encompasses the three major components of NOAHH’s work in New Orleans: volunteers, house sponsors, and Partner Families. The association has pledged to volunteer 40,000 building hours and raise $300,000 in fundraising support to be dedicated to house-building and construction costs. The homes constructed with these funds will be sold according to NOAHH’s “simple, decent, affordable” housing program to qualifying hotel and hospitality employees and their families in need of housing.

According to GNOHLA President and General Manager of the Hilton Riverside, Fred Sawyers, “no industry has felt the housing shortages more than ours and we wanted to step up for our employees and our community. Hoteliers in New Orleans know their employees are their success. Their housing needs are paramount in our mind. We are committed to them and to rebuilding and growing the City’s economy. The association sees this as a long-term and a hands-on initiative that will benefit the hospitality industry and our community.

Early contributions to the project include a $15,000 contribution from the Marriott International and Marriott branded hotels of New Orleans, and a $12,000 donation from the Brees Dream Foundation on behalf of the Hilton Family hotels. A coordinated online and individual hotel based fundraising effort will complement the collaboration.

Hotelier and hospitality representatives at the GNOHLA-NOAHH partnership announcement included Ashish Verma (GM, Windsor Court Hotel); Fred Sawyers (GM, Hilton New Orleans Riverside); Joe Blanchek (GM, NO Marriott Convention Center); Pat Shimon (GM, Maison Dupuy Hotel); alongside NOAHH Partner Families and volunteers.

About the Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association

Since 1924, the Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association has been the professional trade organization of lodging professionals of the New Orleans area. The association is an industry resource supporting activities in a variety of focus areas including education and professional training; legislative support and public issues management; operations and productivity assistance; government and business relations; crime prevention; and membership communications.

For more information about the partnership between NOAHH and the GNOHLA, please visit http://www.habitat-nola.org/projects/gnohla.php

Cornell M.B.A. Candidates Make Their Impact

Net Impact volunteers (from the Johnson School of Business at Cornell University) at their NOAHH construction site

After bake sales, pasta dinners, benefits at bars, and raffles, M.B.A. candidates from the Johnson School of Business at Cornell University reached their goal of travelling to New Orleans to volunteer in the reconstruction effort. With them, they brought a $1,500 check from their fundraising to support the work of New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity.

Net Impact, the group of Johnson School MBAs, worked with the St. Bernard Recovery Project and on the NOAHH construction site. The Chevron Corporation generously sponsored their stay at Camp Hope, NOAHH’s volunteer base camp in St. Bernard Parish.

Net Impact check presentation