By Lee Merrill
fter the parade floats are tucked away, Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras krewes give back to the community in many ways. They support hurting families during the holidays. Many collect donations for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program and the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank. Several krewes make regular visits to schools and nursing homes to provide encouragement, entertainment, and education. Many local charities benefit from the financial support of local krewes. Nine SBC krewes shared more ways they give back.
KREWE OF ATLAS
The Krewe of Atlas has a heart for the homeless. They provide support to Hope House by feeding the homeless and providing other items they need. Providence House, a shelter for families, has a Krewe of Atlas room that the krewe keeps furnished and ready at all times.
KREWE OF GEMINI
The Krewe of Gemini benefits students by hosting a school supply drive. They gather donations for Toys for Tots, participate in Operation Santa Claus, and donate dresses to the Cinderella Project and Shriners.
KREWE OF JUSTINIAN
The Shreveport Bar Association-based krewe is the heart behind the Pro Bono Project, a program designed to provide civil legal assistance to low-income clients. They host a free Ask-A-Lawyer clinic each month at the Shreveport Bar Center in downtown Shreveport and distribute grants to various local charities each year.
KREWE OF OCEANUS
The Krewe of Oceanus supports the Southern Hills community by picking up trash around the area and collecting school supplies. One of their favorite service projects is to visit a nursing home often to play games, provide treats, and build friendships.
KREWE OF CENTAUR
Centaur maintains a local cemetery and donated money to help purchase bullet-proof vests for the local K-9 unit. Their recent bake sale raised over $10,000 for Operation Santa Claus.
KREWE OF SOBEK
The Krewe of Sobek has a heart for the Queensborough area, where they support a local boxing club that works with at-risk youth. They also support the Boys and Girls Club and Rutherford House with supplies and financial aid.
KREWE OF HARAMBEE
The krewe’s annual Hopes and Dreams Breakfast honors 10 students from single-parent homes who participate in a Martin Luther King, Jr.-themed writing contest. The contest winners are treated to a special event at the Petroleum Club and receive scholarships.
KREWE OF BARKUS AND MEOUX
The mission of the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux is to provide for vulnerable animals and the local rescues that support them. They host annual events that raise funds for their “pet” projects: a Color Run where free rabies vaccinations are provided, a Jazz Brunch with a silent auction, and a Pet Parade.
KREWE OF HIGHLAND
Krewe of Highland adopted Fire Station 7, where they help to make the living quarters a more comfortable place to be. They also host a Highland Heroes Potluck for first responders.
Don’t just join in on the Mardi Gras fun; join our local krewes in bringing out the best in Shreveport-Bossier.