"VOLUNTEERISM and CITIZEN SERVICE must lead Louisiana's recovery effort." -Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu The Louisiana Serve Commission is pleased to announce Volunteer Louisiana, a website and call center that matches volunteers with service opportunities throughout the state. Visit www.volunteerlouisiana.gov or call 866-286-3835 or 225-342-3070 to find out how you can begin a summer of service.

Impact - Louisiana Office of Tourism Tops Returns on Investment $13.90 is the return on investment for every dollar spent by the Office of Tourism. Over 175,000 people were directly employed by the Louisiana travel and tourism industry in 2004. In terms of production, $5.9 billion (3.8%) of Louisiana's Gross State Product was directly attributable to expenditures by visitors to Louisiana Source: Learn More >>

May 14, 2008

CONTACT:
Seth Harvey
(225) 342-8153
sharvey@crt.state.la.us

Earlier today Lt. Governor Landrieu joined President and Mrs. Carter at a Habitat build as part of the 25th annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project Week with Habitat for Humanity International.

During the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project Week (May 11 - 16, 2008), NOAHH will blitz build (start to finish) 7 homes; finish and dedicate 25 homes (homes started since January 1, 2008); and start 25 homes (start to dry-in status) during the week. The homes will be spread throughout the Upper Ninth Ward, Westbank and the Hollygrove areas of New Orleans.

Hundreds of volunteers from around the country will participate and experience a Habitat build as never experienced before. The week will be full of work, fun and community-building as future homeowners come in contact with volunteers as their homes are built.

The Carters have been helping Habitat for Humanity focus the world's attention on the need for affordable housing since 1984. In that year, the Carters led a small team of Habitat volunteers to New York City to help renovate a six-story apartment building with 19 families in need of decent, affordable shelter. A quarter of a century later, that modest effort has grown into an internationally-recognized annual event that has taken place in communities around the world.

WHO: Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, President Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter

WHAT: Shine the Light Award and Key to the State presentation at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity

WHEN: 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, 2008

WHERE: The Sugar Mill, 1021 Convention Center Blvd., New Orleans