Donors and volunteers are needed to support St. Bernard Project effort

Monday, July 13, 2009, Ottawa – Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest and United Way Ottawa will host a special guest at this year’s festival — the St. Bernard Project (SBP), a non-profit group that rebuilds homes in the St. Bernard Parish of New Orleans. Co-founders and directors, Liz Mc Cartney and Zack Rosenburg, were recently recognized with the CNN 2008 Hero of the Year Award. Rosenburg, along with other volunteers will be at the festival to raise awareness of SBP and the ongoing housing crisis in New Orleans, and to raise money and encourage concertgoers to get involved with fundraising efforts or on building sites for those made homeless by Hurricane Katrina.

“Bluesfest has a soulful connection with New Orleans,” said Mark Monahan, Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest Executive and Artistic Director. “Some fantastic music and artists come from that community, and I think the fans will want to help out. We’re happy that we could provide this opportunity to the St. Bernard Project.”

In the aftermath of the hurricane, a call for help from United Way for Greater New Orleans Area went out across the United Way network in Canada and the United States. Some of United Way/Centraide Ottawa’s employees and volunteers developed a relationship with SBP, one of the area’s funded agencies — even travelling to New Orleans to assist with the rebuilding effort. After seeing the considerable amount of work still to be done, United Way/Centraide approached Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest to help the project find a voice in Ottawa. Michael Allen, President and CEO of United Way/Centraide, feels the relationship is a natural pairing.

“United Way/Centraide’s business is community building,” said Allen. “Communities such as St. Bernard Parish have had to almost entirely rebuild themselves, and their work is far from complete. Since we know Ottawa to be such a compassionate community, we wanted to provide people here with an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of some people who have been through undeniably tough times. And I think it is important to remind people of the challenges New Orleans residents are still facing every day.”

SBP’s presence at Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest also kicks off the year-long 4 NOLA campaign, which commemorates the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Supporters across Canada and the United States will host fundraisers for SBP’s work in New Orleans. The group also hopes the efforts will put New Orleans back in the spotlight so people can see that much work remains to be done, and that many people need a home and helping hand – even four years later.

“We’re touched and grateful for the chance to tell our story at this year’s festival,” said Rosenburg. “What we do depends on the generosity of donors and commitment of volunteers. Any concertgoer who donates, or signs up to volunteer, or even gets talking to their friends and family about our work is helping us make some positive changes for those who have struggled since the hurricane.” 

Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest attendees have a chance to win a trip for two to New Orleans, with round-trip airfare and accommodation. People can enter the draw at the St. Bernard Project kiosk near the Subway stage, where volunteers will be stationed during the festival selling beads, bracelets and t-shirts with proceeds going to the SBP. Also available is information on rewarding volunteer opportunities for those who want to be hands-on helpers at building sites in New Orleans or would like to lend support at fundraising events.

For more information, please contact:
Kate Headley, United Way Ottawa
Phone: 613-683-3823 or Cell: 613-294-8128
E-mail: kheadley@unitedwayottawa.ca