Hollygrove Resident Returns Home Thanks to Local Non-Profit

NEWS RELEASE

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Contact: Lashon Daley, Public Relations Representative FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

E-mail: Lashon@pnola.org

Community Garden Springs Up in a Mid-City Neighborhood

NEW ORLEANS, LA: January 29, 2009

Ms. Hilda Frank is beyond elated to move back in to her Hollygrove home nearly four years after the flood waters of Katrina ransacked everything inside her double shot-gun style house. The reconstruction project, which was taken on by the Phoenix of New Orleans (PNOLA) last summer, was one of the organizations main priorities since beginning its fiscal work year in August 2008.

To celebrate the occasion, PNOLA will be hosting a dedication ceremony for Frank on Wednesday, June 17th at 3:30pm to welcome her and her son back home. Taking place at 9118 Fig Street, the event will feature guest speakers on behalf of the multiple organizations and donors who have made the rebuilding project possible.

The list includes Red Cross Case Managers Shasta Butler and Thomas North, Salvation Army Case Manager Samantha Archi, Executive Direction of the Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership (GNODRP) Paul Timmons, Ellenor Simmons of Crescent Alliance Recovery Effort (CARE), and Ryan Porcelli of PNOLA. Councilmember Shelley Midura is also scheduled to participate in the ceremony

“I am so grateful,” Ms. Frank said in a recent phone interview. “I appreciate everything that everyone has done.” Frank has been living with her mother and two sons during the reconstruction. Although her side of the unit is complete, Frank still needs $6,000 to finish the rental side, where one of her sons, Michael Frank, will reside.

But there are other things that have taken an even greater priority in Frank’s household. She is in need of a bedroom set. Nothing extravagant, she explains, just something to rest her head on and a desk to organize her things. PNOLA has been working with local business to secure some home furnishings, but none have made any promises.

Overall, PNOLA has accomplished a tremendous amount of work on Frank’s home. They recruited 134 volunteers to complete the construction ranging from installing drywall to flooring, to painting and texturing. With 1879 hours of volunteer service, PNOLA has saved Frank a total of $61, 358.66.

If you would like to make a donation on behalf of Ms. Hilda Frank, please contact Jennifer Fisher at (504) 208-4856 or at Jennifer@pnola.org.