NEW ORLEANS – Lakeside Shopping Center recently announced the winners of the Gowns of Giving Holiday Showcase, an event series highlighting the work of 14 local non-profit organizations benefiting the New Orleans community. The participants created stunning gowns, which were displayed in the Pottery Barn wing of the shopping center throughout the holiday season.
The winners were revealed during a celebration on Dec. 12. Angels’ Place took first place, receiving a $5,000 donation for their outstanding contributions to providing ongoing support services to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families for over 25 years. YAYA earned second place and a $3,000 donation for their work in empowering New Orleans youth through free after-school programs in visual arts and entrepreneurship, fostering their ambitions and artistic talents, while the National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana secured third place, receiving a $1,500 donation for their dedication to leading the fight to eliminate preventable kidney disease, improve patient experiences and address disparities in kidney care. Additionally, Rolling River Rescue earned the People’s Choice Award, receiving a $800 donation for their work in saving animal lives through placing them in foster care where they receive medical treatment, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and microchipping.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible work of 14 non-profits in our community,” said Erin Graham with Lakeside Shopping Center. “In a few hours, these organizations were able to transform their missions into stunning gowns that not only captivated our shoppers but also raised awareness for their causes. Through the Gowns of Giving Holiday Showcase, we are proud to bring our community together to support these important causes and celebrate the power of collaboration.”
“Being part of the Gowns of Giving showcase has been an incredible opportunity for us to merge artistic expression with our mission of supporting children with life-threatening illness,” said Mark Firmin, executive director of Angels’ Place. “We are deeply grateful to Lakeside for providing this platform and for their unwavering commitment to supporting local communities. This event has empowered us to expand our services to reach more children and families statewide.”
On Nov. 7, representatives from each non-profit gathered at Lakeside Shopping Center to design their gowns. They were given until midnight to complete their designs, with Lakeside providing each organization up to $150 to cover the cost of supplies. A panel of judges selected the top three winners, while shoppers had the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award via QR codes located by each gown. Donations were also made available to the non-profits through these QR codes. In total, over $10,000 in donations were made to help support the organizations.
A full list of participants in the Gowns of Giving Holiday Showcase includes:
Angels’ Place
Covenant House
Dress for Success New Orleans
Gigi’s Playhouse
Jefferson Community Foundation
Jefferson Dollars for Scholars
National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana New Orleans Film Society
New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter Pontchartrain Conservancy
Rolling River Rescue
All Access Sideline Pass with Jennifer Hale Split Second Foundation
YAYA
For more information: https://www.lakesideshopping.com/gownsvoting
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