ROYAL TEDDY BEAR TEA PARTY HELD AT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL ä Page 2G
THE C ESCENT CITY
ADVOCATE
JEFFERSON • NEW ORLEANS • PLAQUEMINES • RIVER PARISHES • ST. BERNARD
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 18, 2014 H
THENEWORLEANSADVOCATE.COM
Volunteers serve Christmas joy to youth St. Rita parishioners share meal at Covenant House
BY EVA JACOB BARKOFF
Special to The Advocate
While many families gather Christmas morning to open gifts and enjoy a holiday meal, a group of local volunteers will spend part of their day serving and sharing a meal with young people they have never met. Since 1984, parishioners from St. Rita of Cascia Church in Harahan have cooked and served a Christmas Day lunch to homeless youngsters at Covenant House in New Orleans. “This is a program all of us look forward to every year,” said Pat Geier, a parishioner at. St. Rita’s who coordinated the event for many years. “Our first year, we had about 12 to 14 volunteers from
Eva Jacob Barkoff AROUND JEFFERSON
AARP Tax-Aide program in need of volunteers The AARP Tax-Aide program is in need of volunteers to help prepare 2014 tax returns as well as manage computers and software. Free federal and state tax return assistance is offered by AARP for low- and middle-income taxpayers, as well as those 60 and older. It is a joint program of the AARP Foundation and the Internal Revenue Service. A three-day volunteer training class will be held in early January. All those interested should have computer skills and basic experience in preparing tax returns. Those interested in helping must provide their own transportation and be willing to work at least four hours per week from Feb. 1 through April 15, 2015. Volunteers will be provided with workbooks during the training and then will be tested and certified prior to working with taxpayers. For more information about becoming an AARP Tax-Aide volunteer, call AARP toll free at (888) 6872277 or go to www.aarp.org/ taxaide to complete a volunteer application form. A local coordinator will contact those who are interested in volunteering.
‘Coats for Kids’
The members of the Knights of Columbus at St. Francis Xavier Church in Old Metairie are sponsoring Coats for Kids. Children’s coats in good condition may be dropped off at the church, 444 Metairie Road, or the school, 215 Betz Place. All donated coats will go to the children at Kingsley House, a nonprofit organization that provides children and families throughout the New Orleans area with a wide range of services including Head Start and early Head Start preschool, counseling and health care services, and after-school äSee JEFFERSON, page 4G
“This is what Christmas is about — a time to reconnect with family, friends and your community. To have a chance to be a part of this event is so special. For me, it makes Christmas Day just glorious.”
on Christmas Day. “When Covenant House opened in New Orleans in December of 1987, I was praying that someone MARIA BLANCHARD, lunch coordinator would come and help in some way on Christmas,” Kelly recalled. “My prayers were answered when, out of the blue, I got a call from Pat St. Rita, and I believe we served health and parenting. In an effort to call attention to the (Geier), who asked if her prayer between 75 to 80 kids at Covenant House on Christmas Day. And after problem of youth homelessness, group from St. Rita could come and it was over, we all knew this was Covenant House’s annual Sleep serve lunch Christmas Day. It’s just something we wanted to continue Out to Support Homeless Youth been wonderful year after year.” Maria Blanchard, a coordinator was held last month. More than 100 with for years to come.” Covenant House New Orleans business and community leaders of this year’s Christmas lunch, said serves as a shelter and offers ser- from throughout the New Orleans about 50 volunteers are helping to vices to children from infant to 5 area slept outside on the sidewalks cook and serve on Dec. 25 but addyears old as well those 16 to 22 who in the city. The event raised more ed that more help is needed in the are homeless. According to its web- than $365,000 for Covenant House way of cooked food. “We have plenty of volunteers site, case managers and counselors New Orleans. Jim Kelly, executive director of to help us on Christmas Day, but help develop a personalized plan for each youngster that includes Covenant House New Orleans, exgoals in employment, education, pects there will be at least 100 kids äSee COVENANT, page 6G
Advocate photo by EVA JACOB BARKOFF
Maria Blanchard, left, is the coordinator of this year’s Christmas Day luncheon at Covenant House New Orleans, which will be prepared and served by the parishioners of St. Rita of Cascia Church in Harahan. Also pictured is Pat Geier, who coordinated the luncheon for many years, including the first year in 1984. Not pictured is Ronalee Holmberg, who is assisting Blanchard in coordinating the luncheon.
LIGHTING THEWAY
The inaugural Children’s Lantern Walk was a festive procession of lights and Christmas caroling led by Santa Claus and a brass band. The event was to celebrate NOLA Christmasfest. NOLA ChristmasFest continues with parties with the Ice Princess and the Ice Queen on Dec. 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24. A Singalong Pajama Party with Santa takes place Dec. 22. For information, call (855) 477-8756 or Advocate staff photos by REBECCA RATLIFF
The Children’s Lantern Walk ended at NOLA ChristmasFest in the New Orleans Ernest N. Memorial Convention Center on Friday. The Great Hall displayed many elaborate Christmas decorations.
visit christmas inthedistrict.com. Claire Pattin, 2, giggles with Mrs. Claus before the walk. Children held festive red and green paper lanterns while walking down Convention Center Boulevard.
A brass band leads the walk on Fulton Street.
City celebrates streetcar’s historic landmark status After a decade of hard work, especially by the St. Charles Avenue Association, it is time for everyone in New Orleans to celebrate. Association members and city leaders THROW ME gathered on Dec. SOMETHIN’ 9 at Lee Circle LYNNE to officially JENSEN announce that the St. Charles streetcar line has been des-
ignated a National Historic Landmark. “It’s been a long process,” SCAA President Camille Strachan said. “We are thrilled and so appreciative for the really hard work of earlier presidents who kept this effort alive.” Former SCAA presidents Wallace and Lyn Tomlinson worked on the designation effort while in office and afterward, Strachan said. She also thanked the Garden District Association, IberiaBank and many volunteers.
The historic landmark designation was finalized in September by the Department of the Interior. The streetcar line joins more than 2,500 sites that are recognized as places that possess “exceptional value and quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States.” The St. Charles line dates back to 1835 and is touted as the oldest continually operating streetcar line in the country. It runs from the edge of the French Quarter along St.
Charles and South Carrollton avenues to Claiborne Avenue at Palmer Park. Built by Perley A. Thomas Car Works Inc. in High Point, North Carolina, the green streetcars carry tourists and locals on a historic trek past stately homes and ancient oaks. The iconic streetcars are maintained locally by people “who take enormous pride” in their work, Strachan said.
Tutors help children read
Start the Adventure in Read-
ing, known as STAIR, is ready to offer adults a way to help children in the fast-approaching new year. The 29-year-old local children’s literacy program is offering training sessions for volunteer tutors in January. One two-hour training session is required; no experience is necessary. Tutors meet with their students after regular school hours or on Saturday mornings at STAIR-operated äSee THROW ME, page 3G