NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — You did it! Give Nola Day was a huge success! Many of you gave back to your community in a big way– helping the Greater New Orleans Foundation surpass its goal of raising $3 million for local non-profits. Our Deepak Saini follows the money trail around town.
It’s Cinco de Mayo– and at Superior Grill– folks celebrating with a margarita– are also putting that money toward a good cause– to give Nola day!
“People of New Orleans are so amazing because they’ll give the shirt off their backs to help something if they feel they really believe in it so it makes me feel like people here really believe in what we’re doing,” says Saints Punter Thomas Morstead.
Morstead is lending his celebrity to raise money for his What You Give Will Grow foundation. Across town, Steve Gleason is encouraging diners at Blaze Pizza to donate to Team Gleason.”
“We appreciate both the generosity and donations of people who joined us in our mission,” says Gleason.
On Give Nola day, more than 500 local non-profits are rallying around town, asking people to donate to their cause, like the Louisiana SPCA.
“We rely on the support of the public to run so many of the programs at the Louisiana SPCA, like provide heartworm treatment, educational classes and get little guys like Oswald adopted,” says Louisiana SPCA CEO Ana Zorilla.
“This helps operators with our phone lines and to collect the tips. This helps with victim services. This helps in so many ways for people who don’t know how to help the victims,” says Crimestoppers Executive Director Darlene Cusanza.
Many organizations like Crimestoppers surpassed their donation goals halfway through the day. Give Nola Day, put on by the greater New Orleans foundation, raised $2 million last year. This year, the goal was 3, and they’ve exceeded that. It helps when the world loves New Orleans.
“We’ve gotten donations from all 50 states and 19 countries including New Zealand, Norway, China, and the United Kingdom,” says Joann Ricci with the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
Generous donations are pouring in. It’s evident people love their city.
“Our hope is this year’s event surpasses last year’s gift. I’m confident we can accomplish that. Thank you greater New Orleans for Give Nola Day. No white flags,” says Gleason.
