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Community Involvement/Volunteerism

ProjectSERVE Logo|27The Northshore Community Foundation has launched ProjectSERVE, a pilot program for volunteering created by a donor Jacqueline "Jinx" Vidrine.  Inspired by a conversation with a teen, Vidrine has provided money to start the program.  After a day of Katrina volunteering, an exhausted 17 year-old told her, "I wish I could stay longer; I've never felt needed before."

"We need the gifts of each person-their time, energy and love to make this the fabulous world that it can be" adds Vidrine, "and ProjectSERVE is the matchmaker for the opportunity to feel and share the 'Yea Us!'"  Area nonprofit organizations are always in need of volunteers and many of the youth today want to make a difference.  We are supplying them with an outlet to get involved.  In connecting the two groups, we hope to spark a bigger community contribution.

By partnering with St. Tammany Parish public schools,, the program will enlist juniors and seniors at seven high schools to volunteer, hoping to make them lifelong devotees of community service.  High schools involved in ProjectSERVE are Covington, Mandeville, Pearl River, Fontainebleau, Northshore, Salmen and Slidell.  Together, the schools have 4,730 students eligible for the program.

On September 30, 2009 ProjectSERVE will participate in the St. Tammany Parish College & Career Fair.  We are coordinating a nonprofit expo for students to connect with local nonprofit organizations in their area.

ProjectSERVE is not limited to students of the public school system, anyone older than 16 is encouraged to serve (under 16 with parental consent).  Individuals who are interested in participating in the program, students need of acquiring service hours and nonprofit organizations that need volunteers are encouraged to contact Laurie Panzeca at lpanzeca@northshorefoundation.org.

"May the selfish act of giving be contagious and fun," says Vidrine.

To donate to ProjectSERVE by credit card click here or mail a check to Northshore Community Foundation, 635 Lafitte Street, Suite A, Mandeville, LA 70448. Please indicate ProjectSERVE in the memo section of the check.

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I-10 / I-12 Corridor
Working with leaders across the region, the Northshore Community Foundation created a branding and marketing strategy to grow the economy of parishes lining the I-10 and I-12. These parishes were chosen because they are growing faster than the nation. A marketing campaign based on the strategy should be launched within a year.