Because She Did Something

NEWS RELEASE

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Contact: Lashon Daley, Public Relations Representative FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

E-mail: Lashon@pnola.org

Because She Did Something

NEW ORLEANS, LA: February 27, 2009

Community Organizer, Case Manager, and AmeriCorps member are just some of the titles that describe Allison Hahn. Now she can add one more to that list: Do Something Disaster Grant Recipient. Last week Hahn was granted a $500 award from Do Something, a non-profit that encourages young adults to serve their communities by providing them with the tools and resources necessary to convert their ideas into action.

Hahn, a 2008 graduate from the University of Virginia with a degree in Anthropology and Art History, moved to New Orleans last August to be a part of the recovery effort. She heard about the grant from a member of the Do Something staff who volunteered with PNOLA in the fall. Hahn applied for the grant to fund her community project, the PNOLA Kids’ Fair.

“Since moving here, I’ve realized that recovery is more than just getting people back into their homes,” explained Hahn. “It’s about developing and creating sustainable communities. For the children and their families that have returned, that support is severely lacking.”

The PNOLA Kids’ Fair is the first of its kind. Scheduled for Saturday, May 16th from 10am to 2pm, the fair will offer fun and educational activities for the children of the neighborhood. Some of the events at the fair include painting a mural, engaging the children in community service projects, and education through activities with farm animals and pets. Additionally, it will feature food vendors, live music, and participation by other local organizations such as the YMCA, the Louisiana Children’s Museum, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and KidsmART.

“The grant opens up so many opportunities for the fair; things that were previously outside of the realm of possibility!” celebrated Hahn. The grant's funding will be used to purchase arts and crafts materials, security, a musical performance, and more. Hahn hopes that Do Something’s support will encourage local businesses to get involved via co-sponsorships, cash donations or donations of materials for the event.

For more information about the PNOLA Kids’ Fair, contact Allison Hahn at Allison@pnola.org or 504-613-0177.

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