Coca-Cola and Dillard University Partner to Bring EnvironmentalProjects to Gentilly Area (2106 hits)
On April 23, in celebration of Earth Month, over 60 Coca-Cola employees from across the country will join members of the Dillard University community to host a rain barrel workshop and break ground on a new school garden for Medard H. Nelson Charter School.
The new garden is the first of three that the Dillard University Office of Community Relations is sponsoring in the local community this year. It is designed to operate as an outdoor classroom, teaching students the process and the importance of fresh foods and vegetables.
“School gardens offer new learning experiences, teach students about nutrition, and even provide healthy food for local families,” said Nick Harris, director of the Office of Community Relations. “This program gives elementary school students the opportunity to work with Dillard undergrads and establish positive mentoring relationships.”
The service day also includes a rain barrel workshop that emphasizes water sustainability and teaches attendees how to make their own rain barrels. Coca-Cola is donating 60 of its syrup barrels, which volunteers will convert to rain barrels using special conversion kits and instructions from Coca-Cola trainers.
Rain barrels collect rainwater that normally flows off property, helping users save money on water bills, conserve water during dry periods and prevent polluted runoff into local watersheds.
About the Dillard University Office of Community Relations
Dillard University's Office of Community Relations (OCR) serves as a gateway between the community and the university. It is a hub for neighborhood associations in Gentilly and offers numerous community outreach programs for residents to improve their personal lives. It addition, it also serves as a liaison between the university and the Ecumenical community as well. The Office of Community Relations is supported by many remarkable sponsors and is proud to partner with a number of organizations and companies both locally and nationally.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, our Company's portfolio features 15 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.8 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world's top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo or check out our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com.
Contact: Amber Ferchaud Mona Duffel Jones C 504-451-8921 504-812-2535 T 504-818-7241 504-816-4024 amberferchaud@coca-cola.com mduffeljones@dillard.edu
