Privateers Participate in Day of Service on Katrina Anniversary

PHOTO GALLERY
 
NEW ORLEANS, La. – 10 years after the University of New Orleans endured one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history, the department of athletics joined the cause on Saturday, August 29, in helping the city commemorate the 10^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
 
Under the request of City of New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, the Privateers will were a part of the 10,000 volunteers that participated in various local community activities to commemorate the spirit of "neighbor helping neighbor."
 
As its project, UNO is volunteered at Einstein Charter Middle School at the Sarah Towles Reed Campus in New Orleans East, one of the hardest hit areas following the storm.
 
"With the effects that Hurricane Katrina had on the city, and on the University of New Orleans, we wanted to make sure our student-athletes supported the city wide day of service to commemorate and honor everything that has happened in the city post-Katrina," said Butler Benton, Department of Athletics Director of Student-Athlete Enrichment. "Our student athletes were excited about the opportunity and had a great time. As a department we will continue to emphasis the importance of community involvement."
 
The Einstein Charter School project was organized by Hands-On New Orleans, a volunteer management group, which will supply materials, supplies, safety gear and gloves, as well as instructions and supervision.
 
While at the school, the Privateers worked on painting both indoor and outdoor facilities, landscaping and gardening, restriping basketball courts and building picnic tables and benches.
 
Dozens of Privateer student-athletes and coaches were present during the university-wide initiative.
 
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