The 2009 New Orleans Red Dress Run Donates $92,000 To Local Organizations
The 2009 New Orleans Red Dress Run Volunteer Committee, a part of the New Orleans Hash House Harriers, recently chose 31 different local organizations to receive an average of about $3,000 dollars each, totaling $92,000. All funds were raised by hosting The 2009 New Orleans Red Dress Run.
Over 50 organizations applied for grants. The organizations chosen picked up their checks at the Volunteer Appreciation/Grant Distribution Party held at 3 Ring Circus.
Susan Bergson, Red Dress Run Coordinator said, “We always say giving away the money is just an excuse to drink beer and act silly, but the volunteer and grant party truly is the highlight of our year.”
The following organizations received proceeds from the event:
- Dawn Busters Kiwanis Club’s Kiwanis Accelerated Reader Project
- Louisiana Pulmonary Disease Camp Incorporated (LPDCI)’s Camp Pelican Expenses
- WRBH Radio for the Blind and Print Handicapped’s Computer upgrade in WRBH Recording Studio
- Camp Challenge Inc.’s Camp Challenge Scholarships
- Magnolia School’s 75 Years In The Community Event
- Roots of Music, Inc.’s The Roots of Music
- New Heights Therapeutic Riding’s Scholarships for Riders
- Parkway Partners Program’s ReLeaf New Orleans
- The Lighthouse for the Blind’s Lighthouse Summer Day Camp
- Southern Animal Foundation’s Spay NOLA
- Visiting Pet Program’s Photo Copier
- Project Lazarus’ Personal Empowerment – Optimum Wellness through Nutritional Management
- Mid-City Volleyball Group’s Permanent Location/Youth Volleyball Clinics
- NO/AIDS Task Force’s Food For Friends Program
- Drop-In Clinic, dba, The Administrators of The Tulane Educational Fund’s New Orleans Syringe Access Program
- Jefferson Playground - Booster Club’s KaBOOM!
- Playworks: Education Energized’s Healthy Play for New Orleans Public School Children
- Laurel Elementary School Of Technology’s The LA4 Preschool Program at Laurel Elementary
- The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living’s New Orleans Smoke-Free Block Party
- Family Service of Greater New Orleans’ Mental Health Counseling Program
- MotherShip Foundation’s Jeff Davis Play Spots
- French Quarter Festivals, Inc.’s French Quarter Festival Police Detail Sponsorship
- Audubon Nature Institute’s A New Level of Clean for Woldenberg Riverfront Park Initiative
- Mary Lou Merigoni’s Liver Transplant due to Wilson’s Disease
- Friends In Need Foundation’s Medical Equipment for Johnny Gray
Volunteers from the following organizations helped serve a full barbecue meal, pizza, beer and water to participants:
St. Christopher’s Men’s Club
The Dawn Busters Kiwanis Club
Young Leadership Council
CAGNO Tom Sawyer Run
This year’s run was the largest New Orleans Red Dress Run ever, and perhaps the largest Red Dress Run anywhere ever, with over 5,500 paid runners. Participants come from across the country and stay for the weekend. The New Orleans Red Dress Run is even on the radar of local hotels now who offer discounts to participants.
After a rainy start from Ernst Cafe, runners, walkers and stragglers loosely followed a route that included The Howlin’ Wolf, Bourbon Cowboy, Jester Mardi Gras Daiquiris, Good Friends Bar, Cafe Lafitte in Exile, Napoleon’s Itch, and a well deserved jello shot stop at Woldenberg Park on the river.
Pre-run entertainment was provided by The Blackened Blues Band and post-run was taken over by Bag of Donuts.
Although it’s a lot of hard work to put on such a large event, it is worth it to the organizers. As Danny Colletta, Grand Master of New Orleans Hash House Harriers, says, “It is very rewarding to be able to donate so much money to many organizations in the New Orleans area that do so much for our community by having the Red Dress Run which is put on by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers. It is a great feeling to be able to help so many people in need. I am so glad to be part of something that helps so many.”
For more information about The New Orleans Red Dress Run visit NOLAreddress.com. For more information on New Orleans Hash House Harriers visit NOH3.com.
Join us in the second weekend in August 2010 for the New Orleans Red Dress Run which promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a few twists thrown in. Red Dress mandatory.
