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New Orleans special event industry survivors receive monetary assistance

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The Special Event Assistance & Resources With a Caring Heart (SEARCH) Foundation will present a check for $25,000 to the New Orleans Foundation for Events Associates Revitalization (NOFEAR) during the Special Event Trade Show in Dallas on Jan. 11.

“This donation is an answer to many prayers after the months of despair we have felt since Aug. 29,” says NOFEAR’s founding president David L. Spear, CSEP. “Many business owners, executives and managers had the wherewithal to return to rebuild and re-establish their businesses. But we are nothing without our employees. These people need immediate assistance to find housing, transportation and even basic necessities. We have a plan to help these individuals so they can help the special event and hospitality industries get back on their feet."

We have a plan to help these individuals so they can help the special event and hospitality industries get back on their feet.”

SEARCH was founded in 1997 to provide support for persons in the special events industry confronted with a catastrophic occurrence. New Orleans special event industry leaders created NOFEAR after hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the city.

“This is the first cash donation we have made,” says SEARCH Chairman Michael Cerbelli. “With help from the special event industry, our endowment has grown enough to be able to help individuals in our industry whose lives and businesses were devastated by these massive storms. The losses suffered are beyond calculation. We will continue to assist individuals who face catastrophic loss.”