P.O. Box 24378  New Orleans, LA 70184   504.324.2270

LAKEVIEW CIVIC ANNOUNCES COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO RESTORE LAKEVIEW GREEN SPACES

West Point Cadet Volunteers Will Lead “Operation Sudden Impact” March 9-17

Shell Provides $50,000

(New Orleans, LA, March 9, 2007)- Lakeview Civic Improvement Association (LCIA) of New Orleans announced today that it will be hosting 12 cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from March 9 through March 17, 2007 to lead a major cleanup and replanting project focused on green spaces in the Lakeview community entitled “Operation Sudden Impact”, supported  by Shell.  The cadets recently volunteered to come to New Orleans during their 2007 spring break to provide nine consecutive days of help to the community in its rebuilding efforts.

Bari Landry, President of LCIA commented, “When we were informed by the local Army Corps office that a group of West Point cadets planned to come to our City during their spring break for a week of community service instead of heading to the beach for a week of relaxation, we immediately welcomed them with open arms and developed an action plan that would have a tangible “sudden impact” on our neighborhood.  We marshaled the efforts of a significant number of local volunteers to assist the cadets in

their project to maximize the positive results we expect from their labors.  We also solicited contributions from local businesses for the trees, shrubs and materials needed for the project.  Local residents are providing lodging, transportation and meals for the cadets while they are here as none of them are from the New Orleans area.  We hope to show in small part our sincere gratitude to these generous young men and women while they are volunteering to help New Orleans for this short period of time.”

Al Petrie, Chairman of the Green Spaces Committee for LCIA added, “Our neighborhood was always known for its beautiful neutral grounds and the destruction that occurred due to the wind and flooding from Katrina was heartbreaking.  Since late 2005, LCIA has focused a significant part of its efforts on cleaning up and restoring our green spaces in Lakeview.  We have already invested funds raised from last year’s Lakeview Fest and previous donations from local businesses to buy trees and plants to restore several areas of Harrison Avenue and Canal Boulevard with labor provided by hundreds of volunteers.”

Petrie continued, “Operation Sudden Impact will be our largest and most exciting project yet. We have had an excellent response to our fundraising effort for this expanded project and are especially grateful to Shell for their donation of $50,000 and commitment of employee volunteers on Wednesday, March 14th.  We expect to plant well over 300 trees and a large number of shrubs on Canal Boulevard, fully restore the famous ‘sunken gardens,” and remove remaining debris and dead tree stumps in that area. These efforts will clearly result in an “extreme makeover” for a significant portion of our green spaces.  Our goal is not simply to restore our green spaces to what they were before the storm, but to make them better.”

 “We are proud to support this important project in the Lakeview area with this donation and the commitment of our employees,” said Frank Glaviano, Vice-President of Production for the Americas Region. “Revitalizing the neutral grounds in Lakeview will serve as a reminder that progress is being made and there is hope for the future.  Many Shell employees and their families lived in this area and lost everything, but most importantly, we hope to encourage others active in the community to join us.”

This project is a collaborative effort of LCIA, the City of New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways, Parkway Partners and the Lake Area Beacons of Hope.  LCIA gratefully acknowledges the donation of over 275 trees by Parkway Partners and Banting Nursery Farms, the assistance and guidance provided by the Department of Parks and Parkways, the $50,000 donation from Shell, and over $25,000 in contributions from local businesses including Tidewater, Inc., Chevron, Energy Partners, Ltd.,  the Lake Area

Beacons of Hope and many other companies and individuals to assist in the purchase of plants and supplies for Operation Sudden Impact.  Businesses or individuals who are interested in making a monetary or in-kind donation toward the project can contact LCIA at 504-324-2270 or by email to apetrie@lakeviewcivic.org. 

LCIA also recognizes the effort of the many volunteers from Shell, Harrah’s, the Beacons of Hope and many other local community groups and churches who have committed their time to this neighborhood-lead project.  Local residents who are also interested in volunteering to help the cadets can meet the team on Canal Boulevard north of City Park Avenue each day from March 10-17 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. or should contact the St. Paul’s Beacon of Hope at 504-483-2212 for additional information. 

Al Petrie  (Lakeview Civic Improvement Association) 504-799-1953
Jean Fahr (Parkway Partners) 504-620-2228
Ann McDonald(N.O.Dept.of Parks & Parkways) 504-658-3201
Sandy Daleo (Shell) 504-728-4689

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK: