National Auto Dealers' Charitable Foundation Donates $400,000 to Restore Athletic...

National Auto Dealers' Charitable Foundation Donates $400,000 to Restore
Athletic Fields in New Orleans

Brees Dream Foundation plays a key role in facilitating gift
NEW ORLEANS -- The National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation will
present the Brees Dream Foundation with a $400,000 gift to complete the
renovation of the athletic fields at Lusher Charter High School in the heart
of Uptown New Orleans.
Annette Sykora, chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association
(NADA), will present Drew Brees, quarterback of the New Orleans' Saints, with
a $400,000 gift during a check presentation ceremony at the school at 4 p.m.,
Thursday, May 15. Both Brees and Kathy Riedlinger, principal and CEO of Lusher
Charter School, will make remarks.
"This contribution demonstrates NADA's commitment to the recovery of New
Orleans. Our commitment is long term," Sykora said. "New Orleans has been one
of NADA's convention cities for more than 30 years. And we are pleased to
return here next January for our 92nd annual convention."
The money will be used to rebuild Lusher's athletic fields at the school's
main campus at 5624 Freret St. The fields have been in poor condition since
Lusher moved into the building following Hurricane Katrina. Acres of grass
fields will be re-sodded, and bleachers, a scoreboard and lights for nighttime
use will be added.
The fields will be used for competitive football, soccer, baseball and
softball and for physical education classes at the school. Lusher offers a
strong athletic program with 22 teams and numerous other extracurricular
opportunities. The fields will also be used by several neighboring schools and
local recreational programs.
Lusher Charter School is a K-12 public school, located on two campuses in
New Orleans, that focuses on a college-preparatory curriculum. The school
offers early college credit classes from Tulane University, gifted and
talented programs and Advanced Placement courses. The school also offers a
comprehensive arts education and an award-winning performing arts program in
creative writing, dance, drama, music and visual arts. It will serve 1,550
students during the 2008-2009 school year.
The NADA Foundation, established in 1975, is the philanthropic arm of
NADA. Funds contributed by new-car and -truck dealers and friends provide
financial support to educational institutions, emergency relief, a CPR-unit
donation program and scholarships and grants to colleges and universities, to
name just a few causes.
In 1992, the NADA Foundation established an Emergency Relief Fund. Since
its inception, more than 6,500 dealership employees in 25 states have received
financial assistance of more than $4.1 million. About $3.5 million has been
distributed to assist dealership employees affected by hurricanes in
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas.
CONTACT: Charles Cyrill, NADA Director of Public Relations, (703) 821-7121
or ccyrill@nada.org
SOURCE National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation, National Automobile
Dealers Association