United Way and Hornets Team Up for a Purpose

United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area and the New Orleans Hornets believe in our community's revitalization. With passion and pride, we are committed to this purpose. On Saturday, October 3rd, these two organizations focused our efforts to foster volunteer participation among local citizens, working together to put on a city-wide “Volunteerism Day.”

On Saturday morning, New Orleans owner George Shinn joined United Way CEO Gary Ostroske and COO Michael Williamson and several members of both organizations to help paint and clean up playground areas in the St. Roch Avenue neighborhood of the city.

“We want people to help us, because together is how we accomplish all of our goals,” Shinn said. “If we all try to do it individually, it won’t work. But with everyone working together and bonding together, helping each other, volunteering, we can have the best place in the world.”

United Way staff and Hornets employees joined local citizens in volunteering at 20 different locations throughout the Greater New Orleans area, including St. Bernard Project, Rebuilding Together New Orleans, ARC of Greater New Orleans and Odyssey House, to name just a few. People who wanted to volunteer, but couldn’t give of their time, were encouraged to donate items to several other participating agencies, such as the Community Center of St. Bernard and Dress for Success. In total, over 625 volunteers participated in the day’s activities.

Volunteers from the community who participated in Volunteerism Day were each given two free tickets to the Hornets’ home preseason opener on October 10th vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder. In addition, volunteers who attend the game will have the opportunity to win autographed Hornets memorabilia. These incentives are part of the project’s objective to make local citizens more aware of the various opportunities that are available to help out their own community and work in their local neighborhoods.

On Thursday, November 19th, the New Orleans Hornets will host a “Live United” Night at the Hive. A portion of the proceeds from the regular season game against the Phoenix Suns will be donated to United Way.