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Tom Benson Honored by Volunteers of America
NewOrleansSaints.com
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - 10:00 AM
Volunteers of America, one of the nation’s largest and oldest human services organizations, has selected New Orleans Saints’ owner Tom Benson as the winner of its annual Good Samaritan Award in Philanthropy in recognition of his incomparable efforts to rebuild the region following Hurricane Katrina.
The Good Samaritan Award is presented each year by Volunteers of America to a person, program or organization that has made extraordinary efforts to provide services and shelter to those in need. Previous recipients include The Fannie Mae Foundation and the Major League Baseball Players Trust. The award will be presented tonight during Volunteers of America’s National Conference at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside and is part of the organization’s long-term commitment to rebuild the Gulf Coast region.
 “I’m honored to receive this award, and on behalf of my family and the New Orleans Saints organization. I am grateful to be included among those recognized for their good work,” Benson said. “Since Hurricane Katrina, I’m proud of the overall impact our club has had on the community with donations, volunteer work and support. We vowed to take a leadership role in the days after the storm, and those efforts continue on a daily basis. The Saints’ commitment to the community remains as strong now, and will as long as there are people in the region who need a helping hand.”
Volunteers of America has served the New Orleans area’s most vulnerable residents since 1896 and is working today to build affordable housing that will allow displaced residents to rebuild their lives. The organization established the “Coming Back Home” initiative to create more than 1,000 units of affordable rental housing and has partnered with other nonprofits through Katrina Aid Today to touch the lives of nearly 200,000 people with much-needed care and services.
Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans served more than 62,000 people in 2007, not counting disaster services provided to more than 166,000 individuals. The organization serves 16 parishes in the region and provides hundreds of units of affordable housing, a variety of services for the elderly and disabled, and support for those living with HIV and AIDS, among its many programs.
About Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Through hundreds of human service programs, including housing and healthcare, Volunteers of America helps more than 2 million people in over 400 communities. Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America's most vulnerable groups, including at-risk youth, the frail elderly, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions. Our work touches the mind, body, heart-and ultimately the spirit-of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. For more information about Volunteers of America, visit www.VolunteersofAmerica.org.
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