LAS VEGAS, NV.(JAG Entertainment) - The House of Blues Will Also Be the Site of the Reunion of 12 First Response Workers and Their Families
The Sheriff's 31st Annual Thanksgiving Day Celebration will go on in New Orleans, putting the spotlight this year on the first response workers, most of whom have lost their homes and are separated from their families for the holiday. Sheriff Marlin N. Gusman joined forces with Corps of Compassion, a 501c3 non-profit, to make the event happen this year. Also a great partner on this event is local hero PGA Tour professional Kelly Gibson and his non-profit organization Feed the Relief.
"It is important that this long-standing community event go on," Sheriff Gusman said.
It is anticipated that the 5,000 sheriffs deputies, police officers, firefighters, EMS workers, nurses, doctors, National Guard, military, and Coast Guard members who have been instrumental in helping the city of New Orleans and its citizens, will be honored with a terrific meal, celebrity attendance, gift bags with necessities that are lacking, along with books, toys, and lots of fun for the children. Seniors from the re-populated areas of New Orleans, now few in number, will also be transported and fed as in previous years.
On Wednesday, November 23, the night before Thanksgiving, the House of Blues has offered the venue, upon its return since being closed following Hurricane Katrina, to have a free concert for the first response team as its first event. Tickets will be distributed by lottery. One of the highlights of this special evening will be the reunion of the families of 12 first response workers who have not seen their loved ones since the worst natural disaster in American history.
The site of the dinner will be a large tented area adjacent to the Foundry, the Warehouse District venue that has been feeding the workers and others from day one, cooking by flashlight with whatever bottled water they could muster. No money or even in kind contributions are being accepted from New Orleans businesses, rather the concept is to bring goods and funds into the coffers of those who have generously donated to the locals and outside emergency workers from the onset.
Scott Sullivan, a self-made success story, and his business partner Joelle Jarvis, joined forces to create Corps of Compassion, a 501c3 based in Las Vegas, NV. Originally from Baton Rouge, which he still calls home much of the time, Scott spent the month following Hurricane Katrina, then Rita, doing what he could in New Orleans to clear debris, help victims, and work closely with first response workers. His passion to help, coupled with Joelle's determination to share their joint experience in the fields of human development, motivational speaking and relationship building, has incited many others to give in kind and monetary donations to assist those in need in Louisiana and the families in Las Vegas who are soon to again be homeless when their financial aid runs out.
Currently, in kind contributions as well as financial assistance are being sought by Corps of Compassion to facilitate the purchase of necessary items. The talent lineup for the event will be announced shortly. Historically, New Orleans native Aaron Neville has performed at this annual event. Louisiana natives from the worlds of entertainment and sports, as well as many others who have shown their support, will be on hand to make this an unforgettable light at the end of a dreadful tunnel.
Scott Sullivan puts it best, "This event is not building character as much as it's revealing character."
For more information: www.jointhecorps.org