Dillard Students Reach Out
Dillard University cheerleaders took time out during their finals week to give back to people who are less fortunate in the community. Nick Harris, director of the office of community relations at Dillard, worked in conjunction with the cheerleaders as well as several local pastors in Gentilly and the Lower 9th Ward. The cheerleaders donated their time and money to provide healthy meals to some families, and also helped the elderly decorate for Christmas.
“I was just so excited about the young people through the cheerleader’s civic engagement and their understanding the need to help others out who are less fortunate by providing healthy meals for their family,” said Harris. “It really meant a lot to me to see how much they enjoyed giving back to the community, and I think all of our students should be involved in this level of giving. I hope we can continue this tradition during the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.”
The various families were referred to Harris by ministers from the community.
“As I contemplate this season, the things that Mr. Harris and Dillard have done for our community have been amazing,” said Rev. Lionel Davis, pastor of Pentecost Baptist Church in the Pilotland neighborhood of New Orleans. “I don’t know where we would be without Dillard’s personal hand. One thing I can truly say about the work that Dillard has done is that it means the future of our communities will continue to thrive as we all give back to the community.”
Special Service Seeks Racial Reconciliation
The Committee for Racial Reconciliation of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana is pleased to announce a special service called Seeking Christ in all People: A Service of Commitment to Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation. It will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at Christ Church Cathedral, 2919 St. Charles Ave. The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church Katharine Jefferts Schori, will join the Bishop Morris Thompson of the Diocese of Louisiana in leading the service that Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend. All are welcome.
The upcoming Service of Reconciliation is a culmination of Bishop Thompson’s declared 2013 Year of Reconciliation in our diocese, a planning year in response to Resolution 17 of the 168th Convention of our diocese. In that resolution we pledged to work to end institutional and other forms of racism through dialogue and training. The January service will also inaugurate a period of increased activism which, with God’s help, will lead to personal and institutional transformation to be the new people we are baptized to be.
For more information about the service or about the Diocesan Committee for Racial Reconciliation contact Lee Crean at leecrean@yahoo.com.
Local Group Awards Deserving Youth with Bicycles
Jugs Social Club, Inc., gave away dozens of bikes recently to children from Jefferson and Orleans parishes that have made significant improvement in their behavior. Sibling of the bike recipients also received gifts.
The children were encouraged to speak about what the holiday season means to them. Attendees also sang Christmas carols.
Orleans Parish School board member Leslie Ellison was the guest speaker for the hour-long celebration.
Prayer and Unity
Household of Faith Church will host “City United in Prayer” for one hour at 6 a.m. daily Jan. 1-7 at the Mercedes Benz Superdome (Exterior Concourse) –Gate C.
Individuals of all faiths are invited. Carpooling is encouraged, and free parking will be provided at the Champion Square garage. Handicap parking only will be provided at the Superdome garage 6.
Participants will be praying for: a murder-free city, economic development, unity in the community, the New Orleans Police Department, political officials, the education system and more. City
For more information call Pastor Antoine or Dale Barriere at Household of Faith Church at 504-347-0127.
Cupcakes and Conversation
Community Book Center will host Cupcakes and Conversation from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Dec. 27 at the book center, 2523 Bayou Road.
The event is designed to provide teens and tween Black girls with an open forum to unite in the spirit of sisterhood to communicate positively about issues that face them today.
Cupcakes & Conversation is a “drama free” zone where Black girls unite in the spirit of sisterhood to figure things out – oh yeah, and enjoy the best sweets in New Orleans! This event is cost free.
City to Recycle Christmas Trees
Mayor Mitch Landrieu recently announced that the City will continue its program of recycling Christmas trees in an effort to promote the restoration of Louisiana’s wetlands and to assist in the protection of the Louisiana coastline.
“New Orleans is earning a great reputation as an eco-friendly city, and this service is one of the ways our citizens can help protect and restore our environment,” Mayor Landrieu said. “Together, we can save thousands of trees from being thrown out to waste and also provide critical support to help preserve our wetlands.”
Orleans Parish residents can recycle their Christmas trees by placing them curbside on their regularly scheduled collection days January 9 -11, 2014. The trees must be natural, with all ornaments, tinsel, lights and tree stands removed. Flocked and artificial trees will not be collected, and trees should not be placed on the neutral grounds. Trees should not be placed in plastic bags.
The City’s Department of Sanitation, Office of Coastal and Environmental Affairs and the Materials Management Group are making possible the effort to collect, sort, and bundle the trees, which will be placed in selected coastal zones.
This project is funded by the general fund budget of the Office of Coastal and Environmental Affairs at a cost of approximately $12,700.
