HAMMOND – Southeastern Giving Day, an annual online event facilitated by the Southeastern Foundation in support of Southeastern Louisiana University, was held last week. According to university officials, the 2023 Giving Day achieved more participants and more funds raised than the 2022 event, itself a record-setting year.
“We are appreciative of the remarkable outpouring of support during this year’s Giving Day. And we are grateful for the support of our Premier Sponsor, Parker Layrisson Injury Attorneys,” said Assistant Director of Donor Engagement, Karley Fontenot. “Well over 1,900 individuals, a 30.3 percent increase since last year, voiced their commitment to ensuring the continued success of our university, our students, and our community. Together, we have raised over $360,000, a 19.4 percent increase since last year, and we are excited to see the level of positive impact it will make.”
This year’s event allowed donors to select an individual college, department, organization, or project important to them, directly giving back to the areas they feel most passionate about.
For more information, contact the Southeastern Foundation at 985-5492239.
dance performances!
Workshops will include Irish history in the New Orleans area by Dr. Laura Kelley (author of The Irish in New Orleans), Celtic folklore by Rickey Pittman, and tales from local historian Jim Perrin.
In addition to the festival activities, this year is the 1st wild game cook-off! Cook-off categories include Fin, Feather, and Fur. Participants can enter one or all of the categories. Information for the Wild Game Cook-off is on the Krewe of Erin Facebook page and website. Bracelets for tasting will be available for $10. Come enjoy delicious delicacies and see which teams win bragging rights.
Back by popular demand is the Men in Kilts 80’s Dance Off. The gentlemen will have one minute to show their kilted moves to randomly chosen 80’s dance songs. Bring it, men in kilts!
Wee lads and lasses can participate in the Little Merida Contest on Sunday. Contestants will share the character traits of Merida that they admire and/or possess; costumes are optional. A kids’ zone includes creative activities, and the Tangi STREAMliner will be on site Saturday from 10:00am to 1:00pm with many fun learning activities.
Vendors will be selling Celtic and handmade items, unique finds, and festival foods. Our vendors are not only local but from around the state and Mississippi! We are thrilled to have a unique variety of items to offer our festival visitors! Additionally, our downtown merchants will be open, and we hope everyone will see the cultural changes taking place in Ponchatoula!
For more information, please visit the Krewe of Erin Facebook page and the KOE website, www. kreweoferin.com.