Franklin Graham and Billy Graham Share Encouragement, Entertainment, and Inspiration in New Orleans

Celebration of Hope Begins Tonight at New Orleans Arena

NEW ORLEANS, March 11, 2006—Months after Hurricane Katrina washed through New Orleans and wreaked havoc across the Gulf Coast, storm-battered residents continue to face enormous challenges—struggling to rebuild, clawing their way through red tape, and battling discouragement. Now more than ever, many are yearning for a reason to feel hope.

That’s why beginning tonight Franklin Graham and his 87-year-old father, Billy Graham, will join together at New Orleans Arena to share a special message of encouragement and help people know that in the middle of life’s storms, there’s a reason to celebrate hope.

Celebration of Hope, a partnership between 215 area churches and Franklin Graham, is open to the public and admission is free. In addition to a message of hope from the Grahams, the weekend event features a diverse musical lineup of award-winning artists that includes George Beverly Shea, Cliff Barrows, Point of Grace, Ricky Skaggs, Nicole C. Mullen, American Idol-finalist and New Orleans-native George Huff, Dennis Agajanian, the Tommy Coomes Band, and a New Orleans gospel choir.

Addressing not only the spiritual but also the physical needs of this community, Franklin Graham, who is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the international relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, will dedicate a playground Saturday morning. In partnership with the non-profit group Kids Around the World, this is one of five playgrounds the organizations are building in the New Orleans area.

The playgrounds are part of a massive $38 million relief effort by Samaritan’s Purse across the Gulf Coast that also includes repairing and rebuilding homes, and donating 230 mobile homes to Louisiana churches to shelter hurricane victims for the next year.

On Friday, Graham met with families living in 20 of those donated mobile homes set up on the property of Greater St. Mary Baptist Church in Algiers. During that visit, 72-year-old Mary LeRoy took Graham by the arm and proudly gave him a tour of what, to her, is much more than just a place to live.

“Sometimes I don’t want to leave it. This is my castle,” explained LeRoy, who worried she would have to live in her car after Katrina ripped her apartment building to pieces. “I prayed that God would help me stop crying and open a door for me—and he did!”

FRANKLIN GRAHAM DEDICATES PLAYGROUND WITH GRETNA MAYOR:

• Saturday 11:00 a.m.—Mel Ott Park in Gretna (2301 Belle Chasse Hwy.)

CELEBRATION OF HOPE:

• Saturday 7:00 p.m. and Sunday 4:00 p.m.—New Orleans Arena (Sugar Bowl Drive)
   

• Media parking is free on a first-come, first-served basis. Present company I.D.  at entrance to Garage #5.
   

• Credentials can be obtained at the media entrance (loading dock of New Orleans Arena) beginning at
  5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday (working media need company I.D. to receive credentials).
   

•  Working area for media is located on the arena floor. High-speed internet and phone lines available.
   

• For more information about the Celebration of Hope, Franklin Graham, or Samaritan’s Purse, contact Jeremy Blume or Todd Shearer at (404) 538-8589 or (404) 314-4206.
   

• For information about Billy Graham contact Larry Ross at (469) 774-6362.

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