AVONDALE, La. — Maritime company Host, which moved its headquarters from Virginia to Avondale this year, said it has contributed more than $330,000 to GNO charitable organizations on its way toward its goal of giving $500,000 by 2025,.
The 100-year-old terminal operator said it has focused its contributions on organizations committed to improving quality of life in the GNO region, such as the NOLA Coalition and United Way of Southeast Louisiana.
“Real change happens when regional leaders like Host step up and give of their time and resources to support programs like United Way,” said Michael Williamson, president and CEO of UWSELA and member of the NOLA Coalition. “Host is a committed partner, and their contributions to our mission are supporting the health, well-being and future of southeast Louisiana residents.”
In addition to its $500,000 commitment to the region, Host is giving $20,000 to the New Orleans-based Son of a Saint mentee program. Son of a Saint plans to serve close to 350 youth throughout the GNO region in 2024.
“This funding is essential to fulfilling our mission. Through this sponsorship, we will be able to not only provide personal development programming for a mentee, but also mental health and case management support,” said Son of a Saint Founder and CEO Bivian “Sonny” Lee III. “To set our young men up for success, it takes a holistic approach, and we are grateful to community members like Host who are taking the lead to help answer this need.”
“We are all seeing the beginnings of positive transformation on Jefferson Parish’s West Bank with the reopening of Avondale, and at Host we are dedicated to supporting even greater successes by partnering with these worthy organizations,” said Host Chairman and CEO Adam Anderson. “By all working together, we can change lives for the better across South Louisiana. When those around us are enabled to succeed, we all win.”
