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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2007 |
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Elizabeth Pittman 404.364.8868
epittman@oglethorpe.edu |
Oglethorpe Continues Aid to New Orleans During Winter Break
WHO: Over 30 college students from Oglethorpe University are taking their last week of winter break to provide support to the Gulf Coast region devastated by Hurricane Katrina, led by the university president Lawrence M. Schall and the university’s Center for Civic Engagement.
WHAT: Oglethorpe volunteers, working with Hands On New Orleans, will assist construction projects and community outreach projects with New Orleans-area schools, animal shelters, city parks, volunteer shelters and non-profit organizations
WHEN: Saturday, January 5, at 8:30 a.m., Oglethorpe students, faculty and staff leave Atlanta, returning Saturday, January 12 around 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: The group will leave in vans from Emerson Student Center, Oglethorpe University (4484 Peachtree Rd NE). The volunteers will stay at Hands On New Orleans volunteer housing (1002 Napoleon Street, New Orleans, LA).
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:
- Prior to leaving the volunteers will watch When the Levees Broke by filmmaker Spike Lee (January 4 at 4:00 p.m.)
- Volunteers packing vans and leaving from Atlanta. Accompanied by President Lawrence M. Schall. (January 5 at 8:30 a.m.)
- Scenes from New Orleans and volunteer efforts
- Oglethorpe University volunteers returning to Atlanta (January 12 at 5:00 p.m.)
BACKGROUND: Oglethorpe is on the U.S. President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for distinguished community service and volunteer efforts serving Gulf Coast communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Immediately after Hurricane Katrina hit, various Oglethorpe students, President Schall and his wife flew with Angel Flight of Georgia pilots to Louisiana and Alabama to unload and distribute supplies to those in need. Oglethorpe University then assisted hurricane survivors from campus by becoming a donation site for the neighboring community. Since then Oglethorpe University volunteers have made four winter, spring and summer trips to New Orleans. In November 2007, Oglethorpe opened its Center for Civic Engagement. |
