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Be a Big Help in the Big Easy: Voluntourism Opportunities in New Orleans

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Whether you are spending a day or a week in the Louisiana city, here are nine organizations that give back to a community still in need.

One-hundred percent of all residences in the St. Bernard Parish flooded after Katrina. The St. Bernard Project (stbernardproject.org) rebuilds these properties, so families can move back into their homes. Volunteers can donate their time--install a new floor or repair a roof--or money to the organization.

The Renew our Music Fund (nomhrf.org) awards grants, provides instruments, and offers financial assistance to New Orleans' musicians. You can help keep the music alive through a monetary contribution or by donating a used instrument.

Founded in 1997, The Tipitina's Foundation (tipitinasfoundation.org) strives to restore and preserve the music community through local programming, such as Instruments A Comin', supports school band programs, Tipitina's Internship Program, mentorship program for high school music students, Music Office Co-Op, job skills training for local musicians, and Sunday Music Workshops. Travelers can aid the musicians by making a contribution or sending in a used instrument.

The Silence is Violence (silenceisviolence.org) campaign is intent on reducing the city's murder and crime rates. One of its newest programs, City Walks, brings a safe presence to the streets with guided walking tours of New Orleans' neighborhoods. Individuals can help the anti-violence organization by purchasing artwork, books, or clothing on their website.

With the help of hands-on volunteers and charitable donations, the New Orleans area Habitat for Humanity (habitat-nola.org) is building hundreds of new homes in the community. The group is also working with Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis' Musician's Village—70 single-family homes geared for displaced New Orleans' musicians.

While Beacon of Hope (lakewoodbeacon.org) strives to rebuild New Orleans' houses, the organization also serves as a vital resource center, addressing residents' concerns and liaising between city agencies and homeowners.

Operation Kids (operationkids.com) provides funding for youth-centered organizations throughout New Orleans, such as local schools, neighborhood parks, and mentoring programs.

If you are staying at one of the cities' five Marriott properties, you can take advantage of its Big Easy Spirit to Serve program, which contributes $50 to Habitat for Humanity and provides visitors with a "care concierge," who will provide recommendations for hands-on community service options. When booking online, enter rate code "xxau," or call 866/530-3763.

Ritz Carlton New Orleans' Crescent City Comeback package (from $1,100) includes accommodations for two-nights along with transportation to a relief organization site, lunch for two, a butler-drawn bath, and a massage for two. If you prefer to provide a monetary donation, its Bring Back the Big Easy package (from $259) includes accommodations for one-night, breakfast for two, and a ten percent donation to Operation Sudden Impact, which specializes in planting trees in public spaces around the city.

Copyright © 2008, American Express Publishing. All rights reserved.