Saints support the coast, sponsor once-in-a-lifetime raffle to own Super Bowl ring
On June 8, The New Orleans Saints went to Fort Jackson in Plaquemines Parish, which has served as a staging area for wildlife recovery from the oil spill, to show their support for Louisiana’s ailing coast and to announce a unique opportunity for fans to help those affected by the disaster.
The outing was originally planned as a celebratory event in Baton Rouge, however Governor Bobby Jindal and Saints owner Tom Benson arranged instead to give the team a chance to see first-hand the impact being felt in the coastal community.
“We were originally scheduled to host the Saints in Baton Rouge months ago after they won the Super Bowl, but I talked to Mr. Benson and I asked him if we could take the team down to Plaquemines Parish instead so they could see the impact of this oil spill and also help lift the spirits of the people of coastal Louisiana who are hurting from this ongoing oil spill,” Governor Jindal said.
Tom Benson, Rita Benson Leblanc, Coach Payton, Drew Brees and the rest of the Saints football team toured the Fort Jackson Bird Rehabilitation Center, observing some of the oiled brown pelicans recovering there. Local fishermen and other businessmen also had the opportunity to talk to the Saints about how this spill is affecting their livelihoods.
“If people didn’t see a bond between the team and the city and region before the Super Bowl, I think everybody sees that now,” said Saints Quarterback Drew Brees. “I think it’s been highly publicized and well-covered. Now you have another event like the oil spill. You could say that Hurricane Katrina was the biggest natural disaster in the United States and now this is the biggest environmental tragedy. We have a great sphere of opportunity to raise awareness, but to do some things to help the people down there and throughout the Gulf Coast region.”
YOUR CHANCE TO OWN A PIECE OF SUPER BOWL HISTORY
Brees announced during his address to fans that the Saints club is going to raffle off an authentic Super Bowl XLIV Championship ring to benefit those affected by the oil spill.
Now through September 9, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., participants ages 18 and older can purchase tickets starting at just $2.00 each and decreasing for orders of more than five tickets. The winner will be announced at the New Orleans Saints Regular Season Opening Game on September 9, 2010. The raffle winner will also receive a Cash Payment of $2,178.00 to mitigate the tax liability from winning the prize (paid directly to the IRS and Commonwealth of Massachusetts).
For more information, please visit saintsgulfcoastrenewal.org
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