With the holidays approaching, the Saints are not only busy preparing for the post-season, but they also continue spreading the love to New Orleans-area philanthropies and kids.

Big Night Out

First off, The Zach Strief Dream Big Foundation will hold its Big Night Out Thursday, 10 December at Generations Hall in New Orleans. This event benefits Cafe Reconcile, a non-profit committed to addressing the system of generational poverty, violence, and neglect in the New Orleans area. Cafe Reconcile provides life skills and job training to at-risk young people through their Central City nonprofit restaurant. The event will feature food from the cafe, a silent auction, and appearances from Saints players. For more information, contact Dream Big Nola. Stay tuned for more coverage from this event.

On Tuesday, the New Orleans-based nonprofit Beacon of Hope, the 3rd District station of New Orleans Police Department, the Shaw Group, and Durr Heavy Construction sponsored 50 Bikes for 50 Kids, a program to benefit the students of Mary Bethune Elementary. Bethune Elementary, a PK-6 school, focuses on literature and technology in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans. Bethune Elementary is among the few public schools in Louisiana to receive a distinguished GreatSchools Rating of 9 out of 10.

Lynell Hamilton with Bethune student

With the 50 Bikes for 50 Kids program, the faculty chose 50 lucky students who exemplify the values of the school: to work hard, to receive good grades, to be thankful, and to be nice to others. The children who received bikes ranged from those who personify the school’s values to those who are struggling and may need a vote of confidence. Three current Saints players, Darnell Dinkins, Thomas Morstead, and Lynell Hamilton handed out the bikes, took pictures with the students, and signed autographs. Former Saints player, Steve Gleason, representing his current employer, The Shaw Group, was also on hand to meet the children and to talk about attaining their goals and dreams. Stay tuned as well for interviews with both Steve Gleason and Thomas Morstead.

Bethune Bike Winners