The Arlene & Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation

The Meraux Foundation proudly announces the completion of a program it funded for the STEM Library Lab to provide education resources to educators to better serve their students in St. Bernard Parish this past school year. With a contribution of $10,000, the Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to fostering innovation and education in the local community. Full story: https://lnkd.in/gKGCygUk #stbernardparish #merauxfoundation #stem #stemeducation

The Meraux Foundation announced that it has donated $2 million to the nonprofit Glassroots to assist with establishing the new glass recycling facility in St. Bernard Parish. This latest donation follows the $1.7 million the Meraux Foundation donated to St. Bernard Parish Government for the infrastructure that will enable the new glass recycling facility to be located on Paris Rd. Rita Gue, President of the Meraux Foundation, expressed her excitement about the donation saying, "We are delighted that our donation will help Glass Half Full establish its headquarters in St. Bernard Parish. This initiative will not only create new jobs and generate tax revenue but also reinforce our parish's reputation as a hub for coastal restoration solutions." https://lnkd.in/gaUzVDWc

The Meraux Foundation proudly announces that Blaise Pezold, the Foundation’s Coastal and Environmental Program Director, has been honored with the 2024 Coastal Stewardship Award by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL). Pezold has been instrumental in advancing the Meraux Foundation's mission to improve the quality of life in St. Bernard Parish through the preservation, protection, and restoration of the area's natural environment. His work encompasses field projects, strategic partnerships, community engagement, and public awareness, all aimed at preserving and restoring Louisiana’s vulnerable coast. #stbernardparish #coastalrestoration https://lnkd.in/gsY3xYdv

A Secret Invasion, a Great Fish, and more in St. Bernard last night! Eight plays written by fifth-grade students from St. Bernard Parish Public Schools were performed by local theatre companies last night at the Play/Write Showcase presented by the #MerauxFoundation and Goat in the Road Productions (GRP). "We were once again blown away by the talent of our young people, and we are so glad to have helped brought this amazing program to St. Bernard Parish," said Rita Gue, the president of the Meraux Foundation. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dikByd9a

Educators are invited to register for the Mississippi River Delta Institute — a free professional development program designed to inspire, educate, and engage educators through experiential, inquiry-based science and engineering investigations around the Mississippi River! Details and register here: https://lnkd.in/g7xB5hfj #StBernardParish #merauxfoundation #ProfessionalDevelopment #louisianaed #mississippiriver Hamline University

The Meraux Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2024 scholarship awards, continuing its longstanding commitment to supporting education in St. Bernard Parish. This year, the Foundation has awarded a total of 70 scholarships to deserving students for academic achievement, artistic accomplishment, Career Technical Education (CTE), and agricultural studies. Rita Gue, president of the Meraux Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm for this year's scholarship recipients, saying, "We are thrilled to support these outstanding students as they pursue their educational goals. Education is at the heart of our mission, and we are proud to invest in the future leaders of St. Bernard Parish." Keep reading: https://lnkd.in/gwwSCS6q #stbernardparish #merauxfoundation #classof2024

The Meraux Foundation is delighted to support plans for Glass Half Full, a pioneering glass recycling business, to locate in St. Bernard Parish. A crucial step in this endeavor is the creation of a business park on Paris Road, providing a prime location for Glass Half Full and other businesses to thrive. To facilitate this development, the Meraux Foundation generously donated $1.75 million to parish government for the construction of the necessary infrastructure. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/guuH6NbF #economicdevelopment #economicgrowth #infastructure #stbernardparish #merauxfoundation

The Meraux Foundation proudly announces its renewed commitment to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) with a new pledge of an additional $100,000 over the next three years. This substantial investment reaffirms the Meraux Foundation’s dedication to supporting the vital work of CASA in St. Bernard Parish. "Our renewed commitment to CASA reflects our unwavering dedication to the well-being of children in St. Bernard Parish," said Rita Gue, President of the Meraux Foundation. "We are honored to partner with CASA in their mission to provide a voice for the voiceless and advocate for the most vulnerable members of our community." Keep Reading: https://lnkd.in/g_SwGaUN #stbernardparish #ParishProud #merauxfoundation

The Meraux Foundation and Goat in the Road Productions are excited to announce the second annual Play/Write Showcase in St. Bernard Parish on Wednesday, April 24 at 7 p.m. at the Nunez Community College Auditorium (3710 Paris Rd., Chalmette, LA). At the Showcase, eight plays written by fifth-grade students from St. Bernard Parish Public Schools will be performed by local theatre companies. The event is free and family-friendly. Reservations are encouraged at https://lnkd.in/gxVvAhmK The Play/Write performance groups are: Goat in The Road, Prescription Joy, and Coffee House Players. These companies’ adult performers will bring the students’ words from the page to the stage, celebrating the creativity of all 175 students involved in the Play/Write program this year. Participating schools include: Arabi Elementary, Arlene Meraux Elementary, Chalmette Elementary, JF Gauthier Elementary, Joseph Davies Elementary, Lacoste Elementary, and W. Smith Junior Elementary. This is GRP’s 15th year conducting the award-winning Play/Write program and the second year that the program has been brought to St. Bernard students through funding provided by the Meraux Foundation. "We're delighted to present this exceptional program for the second year, building upon the success of last year's outstanding performances," said Rita Gue, president of the Meraux Foundation. "We’re proud to ‘play’ a part in enhancing literacy and cultivating a passion for writing among St. Bernard Parish students. We eagerly anticipate watching the imaginative talents of our youth showcased once again, and we extend a warm invitation to the entire community to join us for what promises to be another captivating event." More: https://lnkd.in/gsX3hzfT

A new Country Roads magazine article about the pawpaw tree features the work of Meraux Foundation Coastal and Environmental Program Director Blaise Pezold and LSU AgCenter Extension Agent Anna Timmerman to increase the native fruit tree’s population in Louisiana. At Docville Farm, the Meraux Foundation’s home base, Pezold and Timmerman are exploring the tree’s potential as a landscaping option and versatile food source. They’ve recreated the pawpaw’s natural environment and are growing several trees. In December, they hosted the second annual Gulf South Pawpaw Symposium, attracting dozens of farmers, backyard gardeners, brewers, and chefs to share knowledge about, and a passion for, the delicious fruit. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/gfK48DZD