Mayor Landrieu and GNOF Reactivate NOLA Pay It Forward Fund, Call on Citizens to Help Those Affected by Devastation of Hurricane Harvey

August 28, 2017

August 28, 2017 | NEW ORLEANS, LA – Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the Greater New Orleans Foundation reactivated the NOLA Pay It Forward Fund for citizens to contribute to rescue and recovery efforts from the historic floods from Hurricane Harvey.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by Hurricane Harvey,” Mayor Landrieu said. “They are experiencing so much of what we went through with Katrina—rescue operations, over-flowing shelters, and overwhelming loss. Let’s do everything we can to help our neighbors in the flooded-areas of Texas and Southwest Louisiana.”

“Almost twelve years ago to the day, Texans opened their hearts, homes, and wallets to help us after Hurricane Katrina,” said Andy Kopplin, president & CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “It’s now our turn to repay the favor. Please give and give generously.”

Mayor Landrieu established the NOLA Pay It Forward Fund in May 2011 to contribute to recovery efforts following the Mississippi River flooding disaster, and the fund since then has been maintained to assist other communities in need like those who suffered during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the Oklahoma tornadoes in 2013.  Most recently, the Fund raised $250,000 to assist with our neighbors in Baton Rouge during last year’s damaging floods.

“We welcome this partnership with the City of New Orleans and we’re pleased to administer the NOLA Pay It Forward Fund,” said Andy Kopplin, president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “The Fund will provide resources for early relief efforts and long-term rebuilding for the millions of people whose lives have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey.”

Those interested in donating to the NOLA Pay It Forward Fund can go online at www.gnof.org,  or contact Allie Betts, donor relations manager at the Greater New Orleans Foundation at 504-598-4663 or allie@gnof.org.