From Susan Higgs:
Recently I was privileged to witness a historic event – snow in New Orleans, the earliest snowfall on record.
I travel to New Orleans regularly and on December 11, 2008, I was there to attend the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP) New Orleans chapter’s meeting. That morning I woke to snow at my home in Hattiesburg, MS, (note: I was told it never snowed this far south – surprise!) and drove to New Orleans through a snow storm the entire way.
Once I arrived, I was notified the meeting was canceled due to the weather. No surprise. Snow is such a rare occurrence that it seemed most of the city was just thrown by it. While it is normally hustling and bustling downtown, everyone slowed down and marveled at it; everyone that is except for the police officers and tow truck operators assisting accident scenes and disabled motorists.
While I enjoyed the beauty of the snowfall and got caught up in everyone’s excitement, I was disappointed to miss the AFP meeting.
For anyone who does not fully understand the importance of nonprofit organizations to a community, all you need to do is spend a little time with a representative from a nonprofit. I have gotten to know some of these New Orleans’ nonprofits, learned of their many successes since Hurricane Katrina, and of how much work still needs to be done.
But what I am most struck by are people’s voices. You can hear the love they have for this community. It’s the kind of love that comes from people who thought they could lose something so dear to them and are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that never happens.
There is something magical about New Orleans. While many may say it’s the architecture, jazz, or food – I’d have to say it is the people that make this place truly special.
And here is the miracle of snow falling in the Big Easy.
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