In total, NOLA Navy Week brought in 700 unique volunteers who contributed 3,500 hours, had a total philanthropic impact of $79,345.00, and donated $5,600 to several local New Orleans nonprofits.
NEW ORLEANS - NOLA Navy Week brought in active military members from all around the world to not only celebrate and honor active military people but also to make a big impact in the big easy through three full days of community service. In total, NOLA Navy Week brought in 700 unique volunteers who contributed 3,500 hours, had a total philanthropic impact of $79,345.00, and donated $5,600 to several local New Orleans nonprofits.
Their days of service was coordinated by NetWork Volunteers, a local nonprofit, whose mission is to create meaningful volunteer experiences that build investment in, commitment to, and capacity of the Greater New Orleans area and its community organizations.
For many of the volunteers, it was their first time in New Orleans and their first time doing a variety of service projects covering the social issues: environmental sustainability, education, and neighborhood revitalization. The work that they have carried out is significant to New Orleans. Because of them, we can continue to fulfill our mission, which is to create meaningful volunteer experiences that build investment in, commitment to, and capacity of the Greater New Orleans area and its community organizations.
U.S. Marine Samuel Trani said "My experience here was outstanding I loved giving back to the community especially anything that has to do with nature. I don't see it as work, I see it as bringing us Marines back together and show appreciation to the people and the community."
U.S. Marine Gary Hamlett felt like "the work [they had done] helped to branch out public relations with civilians to active military personnel."
Teddy Nathan, Executive Director of NetWork Volunteers, said, "This group of amazing volunteers working together provides a new level of support for New Orleans and our nonprofits. These are some of the hardest working volunteers we've ever seen!"
"Volunteers can do so much every day in New Orleans and this is a great example of the breadth of important work and projects happening in our city."
Teddy Nathan, Executive Director, Network Volunteers
We have highlighted below what the group worked on and linked their photo albums. Specific project details are highlighted below:
Friday, April 20th from 9am–noon
Crown Royal Garden, 11721 Morrison Road – Volunteers created new garden space and beds
Cohen College Prep, 3520 Dryades Street – Volunteers worked on school beautification projects and creating a new art gallery for the school
Groundwork, 2372 St. Claude Ave – Volunteers painted rain barrels, and organizing green spaces.
Monday, April 23rd from 9am–noon
Audubon Nature Institute, 11000 Lake Forest Blvd – Volunteers worked to restore nature trails
Pontchartrain Neighborhood Park Association, 6154 Press Drive – Volunteers revitalized green spaces and parks
Broadmoor Improvement Association, 3900 General Taylor – Volunteers worked on a variety of neighborhood projects
Lafitte Greenway, 2200 Lafitte Ave – Volunteer helped to revitalize the greenway
Nola Tree Project, 1000 S Jefferson Davis Pkwy – Volunteers will be helping to plant trees
April 24th from 9am–noon
Woodlands Conservancy, 449 F Edward Hebert Blvd, Belle Chasse – Volunteers will helped to clean up trailways and plant trees
City Park, 1009 Harrison Ave – Volunteers worked on environmental sustainability projects
If you'd like to stay connected with the latest volunteer news, be sure to like the NetWork Volunteers Facebook page, sign up to receive the latest news by email.
For more information about their volunteer experience, please call 267-290-8131 or email brianna@networknola.org.