Boycott Bowl organizers presented NORD Foundation with a $57,404.36 donation today (Friday, Feb. 8) — proceeds from the street festival and concert held in downtown New Orleans during Super Bowl Sunday.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell also was joined by City Council Vice President Helena Moreno, NORDC commissioner Kimberly Abramson and NORD Foundation Chair Louis V. Lauricella to receive the donation.
“When we in our city feel like we’ve been knocked down, it’s the spirit of our people who uplift us and show, not only our city but also the people of the world, who we are and how resilient we are. To the Boycott Bowl team: Thank you,” Mayor Cantrell said.
“The NORD Foundation is always excited to welcome new partners and funders who appreciate the importance of NORD programming for our youth and is grateful for this financial support while celebrating our beloved New Orleans Saints,” said NORD Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Conwell.
Boycott Bowl organizers point to the people of New Orleans for the event’s success.
The event was organized in two weeks, with those wanting to attend the event asked to make a $10 donation on showsparker.com. There were also VIP opportunities thanks to Aprés Lounge and Ernst Café joining the charitable cause to make the event happen on Fulton Street. Within five days, the event was a sellout with only standby ticketing available the day of the event.
“I am amazed by the response our community had for the event, and humbled by the Who Dat Nation for turning a negative into a positive by raising funds for NORD. I’m very fortunate to have had Travis and Walter be the first two people to believe in this, and they went above and beyond to make the fundraiser a major success,” said Boycott Bowl co-founder Brandon Rizzuto.
After the NFC Championship loss, the Feb. 3 Boycott Bowl offered Saints fans an opportunity to turn their frustrations into a celebration and monetary contribution to the community. The fundraiser for the NORD Foundation featured more than 15 musical acts, including Fred LeBlanc from Cowboy Mouth, Louisiana Music Hall of Famer Dash Rip Rock, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., Partners-n-Crime, Flow Tribe, The Vettes, Big Freedia, Shamar Allen, and the Brass-a-Holics.
“As a former athlete at NORD’s Harrell Playground in the 17th Ward, this makes me so excited to have helped raise this much money for the NORD Foundation. This truly is the City of Yes, where someone can take a good idea and turn it into a reality in just two weeks with the help of family, friends and city officials. Anything is possible in the City of Yes!,” said Boycott Bowl co-founder Walter “Kango Slimm” Williams Jr., a performing artist in the New Orleans area for more than 30 years.
