St. Paul’s Homecoming Center in Gentilly to be featured on nationally televised reality show, Secret Millionaire

Post-Katrina efforts of local non-profit organization to be showcased and celebrated

NEW ORLEANS (June 19, 2012) – On Sunday, August 12 at 5:00 p.m. the public is invited to join the community of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church as they celebrate the national recognition of their tireless efforts on behalf of the St. Paul’s Homecoming Center, as captured by the ABC TV show, Secret Millionaire (airs locally on WGNO TV 26). The free viewing will take place in St. Paul’s Church, while a pre-viewing reception and post-viewing celebration will take place in the St. Paul’s School Auditorium, both located at 6249 Canal Boulevard, in Lakeview. The evening will include delicious food, lively libations, exquisite desserts, free prime time viewing, and Skype with the actual millionaire to say ‘Thank You’ for recognizing the faith, hope and courage of all returning residents of New Orleans.

The evening’s schedule of events is as follows:

Pre Show Reception: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Ticketed event in the St. Paul’s School Auditorium)
Public Viewing: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Free to the public; shown in St. Paul’s Church)
Post-Show Celebration 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Ticketed event in the St. Paul’s School Auditorium)

The St. Paul’s Homecoming Center is one of two New Orleans-area non-profit organizations to be featured on the television series, which shines a well-deserved light on the efforts of non-profit organizations who provide for those in need. Each episode of Secret Millionaire follows one of America’s most successful people for a week as they leave the comforts of home to help the less fortunate. Their true identities are kept hidden while they search for the most deserving within the community.

“The story of the St. Paul’s Homecoming Center is one of New Orleans’ resilience, restoration, and renewal,” says Connie Uddo, Executive Director of the St. Paul’s Homecoming Center. “The hundreds of volunteers who are compassionate, caring and committed to serving others as a model faith-based ministry, true to its mission to, “Love Thy Neighbor,” are the stars of this show and deserve this national recognition. We look forward to sharing this evening of fellowship with all members of the community.”

Tickets for the pre-show reception and post-show celebration are $100 each and considered tax-deductable donations.
They are available at www.stpaulshomecomingcenter.org; at St. Paul’s Church, School and Homecoming Center; by calling the St. Paul’s Homecoming Center at 504-644-4125; or by going directly to www.neworleanssecretmillionaire.com.
Sponsorships are also available and will help fund the continued works of the St. Paul’s Homecoming Center.

ABOUT THE ST. PAUL’S HOMECOMING CENTER:
In September 2006, the St. Paul’s Homecoming Center, under the guidance of Executive Director, Connie Uddo, was opened to provide the post-Katrina community with volunteer help, housing, tools, computer access, a wash-a-teria, Road Home assistance, case managers, mental health counselors, welcome baskets, community barbeques, bottomless cups of coffee and a shoulder of support. Work also began on the restoration of 10 miles of Lakeview neutral grounds and green spaces. In January, 2009, the St. Paul’s Homecoming Center moved to the flood-damaged neighborhood of Gentilly, where it continues to help hundreds of residents return and rebuild their lives.

For more information on the St. Paul’s Homecoming Center, visit www.stpaulshomecomingcenter.org . To learn more about becoming a member of the Jefferson Chamber, please visit www.jeffersonchamber.org.