JOURNAL SPORTS
The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, boosting efforts to generate funds to support the state’s sports museum in Natchitoches including technology upgrades at the 11-year-old facility, will participate in “Give for Good Day” to complement its fund-raising initiatives.
Under the auspices of the Community Foundation of North Louisiana (CFNL), today’s “Give for Good Day” is North Louisiana’s largest day of giving. Established in 2014 by the CFNL, “Give for Good” has raised over $19 million for non-profit entities in North Louisiana. The event empowers the entire Northwest Louisiana community to go the extra mile for causes while building awareness and support for those hard-working and worthwhile organizations. The 2023 “Give for Good Day” raised nearly $2.8 million for over 200 non-profits.
The Independence Bowl Foundation will be celebrating the day of giving at Flying Heart Brewing & Pub from 3-8 p.m. today. Flying Heart Cares is supporting two causes through Give for Good this year — the Independence Bowl Foundation and the Humane Society of NWLA.
The LSHOF Foundation is focused on enhancing the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum and “Give for Good Day” is the latest in a series of initiatives.
“Any opportunity to attract support for the foundation’s mission of enhancing the Hall of Fame museum which honors Louisiana’s great sports legacy is one which we will pursue. We are in an exciting new partnership with a nationally-acclaimed company developing a multi-phase plan which will significantly raise the ‘wow factor’ at the museum,” said LSHOF CEO Ronnie Rantz of plans to bolster the facility, which opened in the Natchitoches Historic District in June 2013.
Efforts to increase development for the LSHOF have included statewide fund-raising events, an inaugural membership drive and sponsorship support for the annual Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration, to be held June 20-22 in Natchitoches. The 2024 class of 12 inductees includes New Orleans Saints icon Drew Brees, WNBA and LSU basketball standout Seimone Agustus, MMA star Daniel Cormier along with other athletes and ambassadors whose extraordinary accomplishments have earned them Hall of Fame distinction.
LSHOF Foundation Director of Business Development and Public Relations Greg Burke is familiar with annual giving days, dating to his days as athletic director for Northwestern State.
“These special giving days often inspire current supporters to give just a little bit more in support of causes for which they are passionate,” said Burke, who added that LSHOF Foundation hoped to raise $10,000 in its first “Give for Good” initiative.
“Give for Good” donations to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation can be made by clicking on https://www.giveforgoodnla.org/organization/Louisiana-Sports-Hall-Of-Fame-Foundation online.
The Independence Bowl Foundation’s emphasis is on its own foundation and the Humane Society of NWLA.
Flying Heart will donate a percentage of sales to both causes. Flying Heart has also donated a percentage of sales from the past three Tuesdays to the Independence Bowl Foundation and will be presenting a check for the donations of the four Tuesdays to the Independence Bowl Foundation. Flying Heart is also providing teachers presenting a valid school ID with 10 percent off pizzas.
This year through Give for Good, the Independence Bowl Foundation is focusing on Extra Yard for Teachers, which provides donations to a variety of teachers’ projects each year. Over the past three years, the Independence Bowl has donated over $85,000 to local teachers and education through Extra Yard for Teachers. Every dollar donated by the Independence Bowl Foundation through Extra Yard for Teachers is matched by the College Football Playoff Foundation, doubling the Independence Bowl’s impact on local teachers.