Sen. Edwards, the NAACP, college kids and Katrina

[Anita Garcia]

With the assistance of the NAACP of Baton Rouge, the One America Committee with Senator John Edwards is leading a group of nearly 700 college students from around the country to the Gulf Coast to help with rebuilding efforts as part of “Opportunity Rocks 2006: Rebuilding the Gulf Coast” from March 16th to March 18th.

Opportunity Rocks has partnered with the Baton Rouge NAACP, Southern University and A&M College and Habitat for Humanity to bring nearly 700 students from over 85 schools in 27 states to Louisiana from March 16th-18th, 2006 to help repair and rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Last fall, Senator Edwards traveled to ten colleges and universities across the country to launch Opportunity Rocks, a new student-led effort to encourage young people to make the elimination of poverty the cause of their generation. Recently, Senator Edwards asked college students across the country to join him for its first national effort - Opportunity Rocks 2006: Rebuilding the Gulf Coast.

Working with the NAACP of Baton Rouge and Southern University to coordinate and provide housing for almost 700 students who have volunteered to travel to the Gulf Coast to do the hard work of rebuilding – gutting damaged homes, removing debris, and cleaning up the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. “The NAACP is committed to working with organizations and groups who believe that service to others is the greatest donation that we can give to rebuild New Orleans,” said Kwame Asante’- President of the Baton Rouge Branch of the NAACP.

“Hurricane Katrina exposed the widespread poverty that exists in America. Although the images of Katrina have faded from our television screens, much work remains to be done,” Edwards said. “We are committed to doing the hard work that needs to be done to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast and to help those who struggle with poverty every day.”
TO VOLUNTEER CONTACT:
Kwame Asante
NAACP
225-214-7800

Kim Rubey
One America Committee
202-528-4653

[TrogL]

1. Of course the Dubya administration was expecting this

One of many reasons they've been dragging their heels on the cleanup - they want somebody else to do their dirty work.

[uppityperson]

2. Good, you can get a lot done in a couple days, and lots of exposure

http://www.opportunityrocks.org/springbreak/
Found the link, thanks Ms.Garcia. :hi:

More exposure and more work is good.

[Inspired]

3. K&R

[babylonsister]

4. K&N! nt

[Anita Garcia]

5. Thanks you all

The more exposure these kids get, the better we will ALL be!

[blue neen]

6. I salute all of the involved organizations, the students, and

Senator Edwards for their commitment. What a great experience for them all.

[Catchawave]

7. He's always been a huge anti-poverty advocate

this doesn't surprise me that so many kids responded to the call :D

[babylonsister]

8. NBC just covered this story about the college kids going to

NO, and not once was the NAACP or Edwards mentioned. :grr:

[Catchawave]

9. I think there are several "spring break alternative" groups

doing the same thing. Which is fabulous! And, a lot of great kids out there :applause: :applause: :woohoo: :applause:

But JRE's 700 recruits....AMAZING response !

[babylonsister]

10. That makes me happy that many hands are helping! Thanks! nt

[Catchawave]

11. MSNBC has a nice article:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11575510/

[RamboLiberal]

15. I saw the NBC report - I think it was different groups than Edwards

effort. The kids are giving up the partying in places like Cancun, Florida's beaches, etc. for this effort. Some of the one NBC showed seemed to be with a Christian group.

But no matter - I applaud all these young people going down there and helping.

Wonder if the Young Republicans were represented?

[politicasista]

12. K&R

He would have been a caring Vice President. :(

[benny05]

14. Yep

and if he decides to run in 2008, a fine President!

[benny05]

13. K & R! n/t