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Community Work
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Mystic Krewe of Shangri-La
OUR PARTNERS
Click partner logo to visit their sites
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The Mystic Krewe of Shangri-La (MKS) remains relevant in New
Orleans as we continue to evolve into a contemporary organization
with activities ranging from the revelry of Mardi Gras to
the seriousness of post-Katrina community needs.
Our focus is on two fronts:
Rebuilding our city and rebuilding the MKS as Mardi Gras is
integral to all facets of the city of New Orleans, economic,
social, culture, etc. Our success depends not only on the
hard work of our members but also on the support offered by
other organizations and business partners.
If you are interested in helping
with our rebuilding efforts, please contact Mary Katherine
Lonatro-Tusa at: dtusa@cableone.net
We are pleased to partner with
the non-profit organizations and local businesses recognized
to the right. As the year progresses, we will continually
build on relationships with our existing partners along with
new partners also committed to the rebuilding of the city
that "care forgot", New Orleans.
See:
http://nutrias.org/facts/careforgot.htm |
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Krewe
of Shangri-La
Adopts Kipp McDonogh #15
School for the Creative Arts |
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KIPP
McDONOGH #15 SCHOOL FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS. In 2009, the MKS
adopted the Kipp McDonogh #15 School for the Creative Arts in
the French Quarter as the primary beneficiary of the Coronation
Jazz Bruch Auction’s fund-raising event. In November, the Krewe
presented the school a check in support of its educational programs
and coordinated the donation of bicycles for all grade levels.
in January 2010, the MKS supported the Kipp McDonogh School’s
Mardi Gras celebration. The Krewe presented many gross of beads
and other throws and coordinated the donation of a mule-drawn
carriage from which the school’s king and queen led their parade
in the French Quarter. Support of the Kipp McDonogh will continue
during the 2010-2011 carnival season.
For more informaion Please visit: Kipp
McDonogh 15 web site.
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Partnering
with
the Pajama Program
Click HERE
to go to the Sponsor's Site |
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Mystic Krewe of Shangri-La is overjoyed with the success of
its partnership with the Louisiana Chapter of the Pajama Program.
At their Christmas parties in 2007 and 2008, member and guests
brought one or more pajama sets in Christmas gift-wrap for the
children of New Orleans who need a little help during the holiday
season. After two years of successful donation events, Shangri-La
expanded their Christmas party format and was overwhelmed with
the success of the pajama donation event. |
The gifts of
pajamas were presented during the
party by Mary Katherine Lonatro-Tusa (Founder of Shangri-La),
Brenda Reilly (member), and Sammy Steele (2010 Grand Marshal)
(photo left to right) to Judith Zatarain Greer (photo far left)
who accepted on behalf of the Pajama Program of Louisiana. The
Krewe of Shangri-La looks forward to working with the Pajama
Program to help the children of New Orleans during Christmas,
2010.
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Mary Katherine Lonatro-Tusa, Captain
of Shangri-La and Mindy Kaplan, President of Pajama Program's
Louisiana Chapter.
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The Mystic
Krewe of Shangri-La is overjoyed with the success of our recent
opportunity to partner with the Louisiana Chapter of the Pajama
Program. As a non-profit organization, the Pajama Program
“…provides new, warm pajamas and books to children in need
in the United States and around the world. These are youngsters
who may not know the comforts of a mother or father to tuck
them into a cozy bed and read them a bedtime story. Too many
have been abandoned and deprived of any love at all.” |
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For
the Shangri-La Christmas Party on December 12, 2007, members
of the krewe brought one or more pajama sets gift-wrapped
for Christmas. Mary Katherine Lonatro-Tusa (right), Captain
of Shangri-La, presented the wrapped presents to Mindy Caplan
(left), President of the Louisiana Chapter of the Pajama Program.
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Ms. Caplan, spent an awesome
afternoon with the children of Martin Luther King School
in New Orleans, Louisiana. The pictures of the children
are worth a thousand words. It is so easy to see the bright
eyes of delighted schoolchildren. All went home with new
pajamas for many nights of sweet dreams.
Source: http://www.pajamaprogram.org/index.html
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The
Mystic Krewe of Shangri-La fundraiser for the New Orleans Police
Department was very successful,
raising almost $10,000 to buy bullet proof vest's!!
All net proceeds from the event
were donated to the NOPD for bulletproof vests in appreciation
for the NOPD’s dedication in providing safety and security
along the uptown New Orleans parade route. Throughout the Mardi
Gras season, the NOPD provides countless hours of hard work to
ensure a fun and safe Carnival for visitors and locals alike.
Come out and bowl with us to support New Orleans Finest.
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Donation
Presented to Belle Reve |
Mary Katherine Tusa presents a donation
from the Krewe of Shangri-La to Vicki Weeks, Executive Director of
Belle Reve. |
January
12, 2007
At the 2007 Coronation brunch, the Captain of Shangri-
La Mary Katherine Tusa presented Vicki Weeks, Executive Director
of Belle Reve , a residence for families living with HIV with a
$6000 donation for their continued services to the community keeping
Shangri-La’s tradition of supporting local agencies.
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Volunteerism:
Cleaning-up the City Park Train Garden
Another victim of Hurricane Katrina in 2005
was the City Park Train Garden. During the 2006 – 2007 Mardi Gras
season, Shangri-La members volunteered to continue the restoration
of what once was a beautiful garden and a great resource to New
Orleans. Today, “…the Train Garden features buildings made entirely
of botanical materials in a layout approximating the layout of
the city itself. As visitors walk on a pathway representing the
water surrounding New Orleans, they overlook over 1,300 feet of
track carrying streetcars and trains like those that traveled
the city in the late 1800s to early 1900s, at 1/22 of their actual
size.” http://neworleanscitypark.com/nobgtour_cf.html
Take
the New Orleans Botanical Garden Tour
2007
Krewe of Shangri-La Cleaning
up the City Park Train Garden
Pictures
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In
2006, Shangri-La will honored two volunteer workers from the Common
Ground Organization based in the Ninth Ward. They have been in the
New Orleans area since the first few days after Hurricane Katrina.
Common Ground is a group of volunteers from all over the United
States.
Please see their website at www.commongroundrelief.org
for more information. |
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