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Gloria Story Dittus, Chair of Friends of New Orleans, Drives Support for Gulf Region with Dual Convention Fundraisers

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Friends ofNew Orleans (FONO) Chairman Gloria Story Dittus today urged citizens nationwide to join in support of the Gulf region rebuilding and restoration efforts. Under Dittus' leadership, FONO has raised more than $1 million through the "New Orleans All-Star Jam-Balaya" benefits at both upcoming national party conventions, but more work needs to be done to continue building legislative and national support for the Gulf Coast. Friends ofNew Orleans is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership organization for people in the U.S. and abroad who are dedicated to the rebuilding efforts of areas devastated by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.

"As a southerner who spent a lifetime in and around the Gulf Coast, I feel a special connection to the culture, the heritage and the people ofLouisiana," said Dittus, who is also CEO of FD Dittus, a public relations firm with deep connections toLouisiana. "When Katrina hit, I felt the need to give back to a region that means so much to me and my loved ones. It is because of this passion that I joined with Walter Isaacson and James Carville to found FONO to helpNew Orleans restore the rich and beautiful culture for which it's known."

"As I advised the FONO board in the summer of 2007 when I presented the concept of holding a benefit during the conventions, the Democratic and Republican conventions provide an ideal platform to remind Americans and political leadership that there is still much work to be done to restore this national treasure," continued Dittus. "We challenge supporters to show their commitment to rebuilding the region by becoming a Friend at FriendsofNewOrleans.org."

Dittus has been integral in the launch and strategic plan of FONO and the organization's involvement in the upcoming convention events. Just days after Hurricane Katrina struck, she chartered a 50-passenger coach bus filled with 6,000 pounds of donated supplies from clients such as the Home Depot. With the help of employees and DC business executives, Dittus distributed the goods to those in need in the Gulf Coast.

When Shell Exploration & Production (Shell E&P) decided to return their headquarters toNew Orleans, FD Dittus was instrumental in creating and executing the "Shell Coming Home" program, which has been widely recognized as one of the best corporate social responsibility campaigns in the country.

Since 2006, Dittus has also hosted a number of FONO fundraisers at her historicWashington, D.C. home. Her work with FONO and the convention events has included branding, Web site creation, messaging, and print and radio media outreach.

FormerLouisiana Congressman Billy Tauzin and FONO Board Member and actor John Larroquette will host both events, along with Democrat strategists and FONO Board Members James Carville and Donna Brazile at theDenver event, and former Governor and Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson and Republican strategist Mary Matalin inMinneapolis.

The benefit events will take place inDenver on Sunday, August 24, 2008 and inMinneapolis on Monday, September 1, 2008, and will give participants a chance to sample some of the best food and music the Gulf region has to offer. The events will feature an all-star lineup ofLouisiana musicians, including members of the Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars Tab Benoit, George Porter, Jr., Cyril Neville, Waylon Thibodeaux, Johnny Sansone, Anders Osborne and Johnny Vidacovich. They will be joined by Irma Thomas, Marva Wright and Marcia Ball, Donald Harrison, Jr., Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and many others. At theDenver event, members of the original Meters will join together for a special reunion on August 24.

SOURCE FD Dittus Communications