$1 million Donation to Plaquemines Legacy Campaign
Chevron Committed to Community Rebuilding

Pictured (l to r) are Eugene Priestly, Chevron Horizons Process Advisor; Greg Jones, Chevron Transportation Supervisor; Billy Nungesser, Parish President; Mike Bush, Plaqu. Legacy Campaign Chair and President of Mississippi River Bank; Melody Meyor, Chevron VP of Gulf of Mexico Exploration & Production; Rebecca Altobelli, Chevron Oronite Co. Plant Mang. Lead Admin. Assist., Qiana Wilson, Chevron Public Affairs Representative;  and Burghart Turner, Parish Council District 6 Representative.

United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area and Chevron has announced Chevron’s $1 million investment to the Plaquemines Legacy Campaign over a five-year period.  The campaign is a fundraising effort designated to rebuilding communities and reuniting families in Plaquemines Parish. 

The news conference, held at the Plaquemines Parish Government Building in Belle Chasse on April 17th, featured keynote speakers including Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser, Chevron V.P. of Gulf of Mexico Exploration Melody Meyer and Campaign Chairman/Mississippi River Bank President Mike Bush.  Also present was Stanley Gaudet, South Plaquemines High School Principal, and Ridge Turner, quarterback of the South Plaquemines High School’s District 1A State Champion football team.

 “Chevron is investing in Plaquemines Parish because supporting people in getting access to basic human needs is an essential step in generating long-term economic development.  Our Shorebase is located in Venice and we are proud to help build a center in the Boothville-Venice area to help rebuild the community and families of our employees and business partners,” said Chevron Vice President of Gulf of Mexico E&P Melody Meyer.

The Legacy Campaign is a $5 million public-private partnership to rebuild four community centers that will be designed to provide a one-stop-shop for family services that will encourage residents displaced by Katrina to return to the hard hit southern section of the parish.  Centers will be located in Buras, Boothville, Davant and Port Sulphur.  FEMA will provide the majority of funds to rebuild centers.

A combined effort involving the Plaquemines Parish Government, FEMA, United Way, YMCA, the Plaquemines Parish School Board, the Legacy Campaign and the business community will raise private funds to supplement FEMA reimbursement funding.  Half of the $5 million goal will be used to supplement federal reconstruction to fund additional facilities, including swimming pools, fitness centers, a new Buras youth center, outdoor pavilions and transportation vans.  The remaining $2.5 million will establish an endowment fund to provide ongoing funding through the YMCA to establish new programs.  These programs cover physical fitness, youth development, child care and activities for the elderly and families.

“Chevron has demonstrated once again, through its $1 million investment in our community, that they are an excellent corporate citizen,” said Parish President Billy Nungesser, “We believe Chevron’s leadership investment will inspire others to give and to demonstrate that Plaquemines Parish will emerge from Hurricane Katrina stronger than its ever been, thanks to Chevron, other good companies and the resilience of our citizens. The Legacy Campaign demonstrates that the public and private sectors working together, through the good work of the United Way, can do great things.”

“I’m really thankful to Chevron and United Way for stepping up and funding this project.  The community centers are good for other students like myself, and hopefully will bring more adults home as well,” said Ridge Turner.

“While we are in the early stages of the campaign,” said campaign Chairman Mike Bush, president of Mississippi River Bank, “We greatly appreciate the leadership of Chevron in getting us started in the right direction. We also appreciate the willingness of the parish government and FEMA to cooperate with the private sector to improve the quality of life of residents. We believe these new community centers, built with FEMA dollars and supplemented by private funds, will assist residents by offering needed services in families’ efforts to return to the parish.”

To recognize Chevron’s contribution, the Plaquemines Parish Council will honor the company by featuring its logo on the center’s outdoor sign.  Chevron’s logo will also go on a plaque on the Boothville-Venice Community Center, which is expected to be completed in 2009.