NADA donates to New Orleans high school through quarterback's foundation

New Orleans will be the site of the 2009 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention and Exposition. In preparing for the city to host the event, NADA donated $400,000 to the the Brees Dream Foundation — founded by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and his wife Brittany — to complete the renovation of the Fortin Campus athletic fields at Lusher High School, the largest public high school in New Orleans.

The site of the 2009 NADA Convention & Exposition is Jan. 24-27 with a theme of “Commitment to Community.”

"This contribution demonstrates NADA's commitment to the recovery of New
Orleans. Our commitment is long term," ays Annette Sykora, NADA chairwoman. "New Orleans has been one of NADA's convention cities for more  than 30 years. And we are pleased we will be returning here next January for  our 92nd annual convention."

"Quite appropriately, the theme will be ‘Commitment to Community’ — something new car and truck dealers across America live every day," Sykora adds. "The future of any city starts with its children. And the Lusher school plays a key role in building tomorrow's leaders."

Lusher high school, one of the city's largest and diverse public institutions, is located in the heart of Uptown New Orleans. The new fields will also be used by nearby Charter Science and Math High School, as well as other surrounding schools. They also will be used after-hours by hundreds of area recreational leagues.

Acres of grass fields will be re-sodded, and bleachers, a scoreboard and lighting for nighttime use will be added. The fields will be able to support football, soccer and softball.

"Lusher school is the heart of that community. By turning the lights back on at the athletic fields, area children will have a place to go at night for healthy competition and fun," says Robert Mallon, chairman of the NADA Foundation. "Area residents will regain an important gathering place, and we're hopeful that this project will be a catalyst for more community improvements in the future."

The school also offers an award-winning performing arts program in creative writing, dance, drama, music and visual arts. Lusher offers a strong athletic program with 22 teams and numerous other extracurricular opportunities. It will serve 1,550 students during the 2008-2009 school year.

To generate additional funds beyond the $400,000 earmarked for the project, the NADA Foundation will conduct a national fundraising campaign with member dealers, convention exhibitors and automakers, leading up to the NADA convention in January.

The Brees' have been active in efforts to rebuild New Orleans following Katrina. They established the Brees Dream foundation in 2003, which in part supports programs that provide growth opportunities for future leaders.

The NADA Foundation, established in 1975, is the philanthropic arm of NADA. Funds contributed by new-car and -truck dealers and friends provide financial support to educational institutions, emergency relief, a CPR-unit donation program and scholarships and grants to colleges and universities, to name just a few causes.