4th annual Back to School Extravaganza Aug. 31

For Immediate Release
 
DINERRAL SHAVERS EDUCATIONAL FUND
4th Annual Back to School Extravaganza
Saturday August 31, 2013, 12:00pm- 4:00pm
Ashe Cultural Arts Center

August 31, 2013
 
The Dinerral Shavers Educational Fund (DSEF) and Tulane University’s Staff Advisory Council are pleased to announce plans for its 5th Annual Back to School Extravaganza. This event is a free school supply giveaway targeted towards all New Orleans students, and will include food, music, games, entertainment, health screenings, and more.
 
This year’s Extravaganza will be held Saturday, August 31, 2013 at the Ashe Cultural Arts Center (1712 Oretha C. Haley Boulevard New Orleans, LA 70113) from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm.  This event will feature live performances by: TBC Brass Band, Baby Boyz Brass Band, Luther Gray & Bamboula 2000, School Boys, McDonogh #35 Cheerleaders, and T Cherrelle, with a special finale performance by the Hot 8 Brass Band and the infamous Spy Boy Honey Mardi Gras Indian. There will be motivational speakers, tons of giveaways, surprise guest, and kids will be able to meet and greet their favorite cartoon characters such as; Dora the Explorer, Sponge Bob, and Elmo. In return, we are encouraging New Orleans citizens to donate can goods and non-perishable food items to our 2nd Harvest Food Drive in support of disaster victims. The focus of this annual event is to promote the culture of music education in New Orleans. In that, DSEF will highlight several music, art, and educational programs across the city while encouraging parents and kids to take part as an outlet to counter the culture of violence.

The Dinerral Shavers Educational Fund is a non- profit 501(c)3 organization founded in March of 2007. This organization was created in memory of Dinerral Shavers, an educator, musician, entrepreneur, and New Orleans Civil Sheriff. In his passing, the Dinerral Shavers Educational Fund has hosted several programs and initiatives to promote youth empowerment, community development, and enhanced educational opportunities in the city of New Orleans. Additional to its annual Scholarship Essay Contest, School Supply Giveaway, and College Tour Event, DSEF has plans to implement several new programs and initiatives in the year of 2013. Dinerral Shavers’ story and the notable works of this organization has been featured on 48 Hours Mystery’s Storm of Murder, CNN’s One Crime at a Time, Spike Lee Documentaries When the Levees Broke and If God is Willing: a Requiem of Four Acts, and most recently the 2nd season of HBO’s hit series Treme’.
 
DSEF is pleased to announce its continuous support and sponsorship from the Audubon Nature Institute, New Orleans Councilwoman Susan Guidry’s Office, NOPD, New Orleans Zephyrs, American Red Cross, Medicaid/ LaChip, HBO Treme’, Reliable Community Alternatives, Inc., The Orleans Public Education Network, Enhanced Destiny Mental Health Services, Slice Pizza, Hype Academy Tutoring Program, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Danielle’s Snowballs, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Happy Inc., NOLA Timebank, Priority Health Care, Congo Square Preservation Society, A Community Voice, TNT Party Adventure, A&E Décor, and Tulane University’s Drop-In Clinic. DSEF is currently accepting donations. Please mail all monetary donations to P.O. Box 6832, New Orleans La. 70174, and all school supply donations can be delivered to the Ashe Cultural Arts Center or Tulane University.