About BNO / In the News

Following Hurricane Katrina’s landfall on 29 August 2005, Happy Johnson volunteered at the Washington D.C. National Guard Armory categorizing donated household materials for Gulf Coast citizens relocating to various shelters in our nation’s capital. Guided by that experience, Johnson went on to serve full-time with the K44 Disaster Relief Unit of the American Red Cross Chapter of Southeast Louisiana, driving and operating Emergency Response Vehicle #1081 for six weeks during the months of December 2005 and January 2006. He led a unit responsible for providing 600 meals per day to the residents living in the Ninth Ward, New Orleans East, and St. Bernard Parish.

At the conclusion of his service as a Hurricane Katrina First Responder, Johnson founded Blanket New Orleans, Inc.: “Leadership For Our Recovery,” while a junior in college at Georgetown University. He and a small group of friends were inspired by the resolve of the people they met ready to rebuild and decided to dedicate themselves wholly to the rebuilding effort. The destruction of Katrina starkly reminded Johnson of what it meant to be displaced – especially when he continually encountered the dismal outlook of young children – because he was abused and displaced as a child while shuffling in and out of numerous foster care homes.

After graduating with a B.A. in International Relations and American History from Georgetown University in 2007, Johnson served a 1-year term as a National Service AmeriCorps Volunteer, while also working to further develop BNO. Under the capacity as a rebuilding volunteer, he led short-term volunteer teams in restoring the homes of senior citizens, concentrating primarily on hanging drywall, laying ceramic tile and painting homes.

MESSAGE FROM JOHN LEWIS SUPPORTING BLANKET NEW ORLEANS

In preparation for Hurricane Gustav, Johnson joined the American Red Cross’ Evacuation Support Team, serving at the Jefferson Parish, LA evacuation command post and at The Coliseum shelter in Jackson, Mississippi. He and another volunteer co-founded GustavRelief.Org [a Blanket New Orleans, Inc. Immediate Response Initiative] to help fill a gap of blankets and water that was needed throughout some parts of Mississippi and Louisiana.

In 2007 & 2008, Team BNO spearheaded BikeKatrina, a 250-mile bike ride that retraced the storm path of Hurricane Katrina from Pensacola, Florida to New Orleans. The cycling journey recognized the Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and aimed to honor the victims of the storm throughout the Gulf South.

In addition to surveying the progress of capital projects in the region – BNO incorporated an awareness campaign about the need to protect the wetlands and confront the challenges of climate change along the gulf coast; it was a great way to engage students about small tangible steps that we all can take to live more environmentally sound.

On 2 October 2008 - The City Council of New Orleans presented Johnson, relatives and supporters in the council chambers with a proclamation that read: “This council recognizes the intense dedication and tireless efforts of Happy Johnson and Blanket New Orleans, Inc. to volunteerism, philanthropy and the rebuilding of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.” And in November 2008 - The Gambit Weekly newspaper selected Johnson as 1 of their 40 Under 40 recipients.

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Initially, the purpose of Blanket New Orleans was to help renew the spirit of the city’s people by providing warmth and comfort to those in need - in the form of blankets and other humanitarian supplies. Today, we are apart of the vanguard highlighting the continued need to place the social justice issue of ‘Katrina recovery’ at the forefront of our nation’s civic conscience. Thus, our social impact goals encompass a desire to:

  1. Partner with community organizers, local/statewide/national government officials and business leaders to serve as advocates for greater philanthropic, legislative and financial investment in New Orleans’ marginalized communities;
  2. Provide our team of volunteers with unique opportunities to conduct community-based research and engage returning residents in service-learning projects, recording and documenting the oral-history of Katrina survivors;

IN THE NEWS

Blanket New Orleans Interview Videos:

BNO Continued…