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New Orleans Pelicans governor Gayle Benson was recognized for her philanthropic efforts by receiving the annual Times-Picayune Loving Cup Award on Tuesday, May 10. The Loving Cup is awarded annually to a New Orleanian who has made significant contributions to the city.

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Recap: Pelicans governor Gayle Benson receives Loving Cup Award

Gayle Benson said that she shed tears upon receiving the news.

But, likely, it wasn't much of a surprise to the people who best know Benson, the owner of the New Orleans Saints and governor of the New Orleans Pelicans. The Loving Cup, presented by The Times-Picayune since 1901, annually has been awarded to New Orleanians whose philanthropic efforts and community involvement soar above and beyond, a bar easily cleared by Benson, the 2021 honoree.

"When I reflect back on the history of the men and women who have been recipients of the Loving Cup, I am truly humbled to be included in their company," Benson said Tuesday evening, during the presentation that was held inside the Saints' indoor practice facility at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. "Each accomplished so much and dedicated themselves to the people of New Orleans. The Loving Cup is truly a fitting name for this special recognition, as those who have been honored with it over the years have all shared an impassioned love of our community and fierce loyalty to the people and institutions that make New Orleans the unique, special place it is for all of us."

She lamented that her late husband, Tom Benson, wasn't present to have received the award himself.

"One of the greatest gifts Tom and I shared in our marriage is love – our love for each other, our love for the city, its schools, its churches, its playgrounds, its hospitals," she said. "But more than anything, our love for its people. We truly have been blessed in our lives and it is because New Orleans has chosen to support us.

"It is my obligation to honor that support by investing in what is most important to our city's future success – schools that will educate a world-class work force, health-care institutions that care for and cure our sick, local and regional businesses that will keep our children at home, and supporting the spiritual and cultural institutions that make New Orleans special.

"Obviously, I'm not alone in this mission. I know and I realize we all get frustrated with the challenges that we face today, and there are many. There are clearly critical issues that threaten our future that we as a community must solve. While those challenges are significant, I truly believe we are capable of meeting all of them with the same resilience, spirit, and flat-out stubbornness that has defined New Orleans since its birth."

The Loving Cup honoree is chosen by a five-person committee, which receives letters of recommendation from the community. Committee members serve once, ensuring that a different committee makes the selection each year.

"The Loving Cup recipient also is someone who goes without seeking recognition," said John Georges, owner of The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com. "After all, Gayle Benson is already one of the best-known names in the city, and as the owner of the Saints and Pelicans, already has recognition.

"Gayle Benson's giving began with the Catholic Church, long before owning the Saints and the Pelicans. Her giving never ended with the Catholic Church. We learned from all these letters about (donations to) Ochsner, NOMA (New Orleans Museum of Art), Audubon Institute, Tulane (University), Loyola (University), Jesuit, St. Aug, Brother Martin (high schools), and the list goes on and on."

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Gayle Benson honored as 2021 recipient of Loving Cup

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Photos: Gayle Benson receives 2021 Loving Cup Award

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The Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation announced Tuesday, Dec. 21 it has partnered with Toys for Tots which will provide 100,000 toys to children across the Gulf South in communities impacted by Hurricane Ida, as well as children in the greater Birmingham, Alabama area.

Toys for Tots began in 1947 as the brain child of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks and his wife, Diane. Hendricks’ civilian job was Director of Public Relations at Warner Brothers Studios. He was friends with many celebrities who he asked to help support the newly created Marine Toys for Tots Program. As a personal friend and as a favor to Hendricks, Walt Disney designed the first Toys for Tots poster which included a miniature three-car train that was subsequently adopted as the Toys for Tots logo.

“I know it has been a challenging year for the entire state of Louisiana due to the destruction left by Hurricane Ida, so it brings me great joy to be able to provide gifts to children across our region who have been impacted by the storm, and those in the greater Birmingham area who are in need of hope this holiday season,” said Mrs. Gayle Benson. “The Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation is grateful for the tireless work that Toys for Tots is undertaking to distribute these gifts throughout our communities in time for the holidays.”

“So many families suffered devastating loss when Hurricane Ida made landfall in late August,” said retired Marine Colonel Ted Silvester, Vice President of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “While those communities have been working hard to rebuild and restore homes, schools and businesses, many families continue to struggle to make ends meet which is amplified during the holidays. We are fortunate to have received such generous support from the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation whose community service goals certainly align with those the Marine Corps has promoted for over 74 years through the Toys for Tots Program. The contribution from the Benson’s will allow Toys for Tots to deliver much needed emotional support to over 100,000 children in coastal Louisiana and Alabama who otherwise may have not received gifts this holiday season.”

The toy distribution kicked off at the Edward Dufresne Community Center in St. Charles Parish on December 11, and the distribution will conclude on Christmas Eve at the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in New Orleans. Toy distributions will be made at the 11 different locations listed below:

ST. CHARLES PARISH:
Date: December 11, 2021
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Edward Dufresne Community Center

THIBODEAUX/LAFOURCHE PARISH:
Date: December 12, 2021
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Larose Civic Center, 307 E 5th St, Larose, LA 70373

CITY OF HOUMA:
Date: December 15, 2021
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Houma Sheriffs Warehouse, 6861 W Park Ave, Houma, LA 70360

BOOTHVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:
Date: December 15, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: 1 Oiler Drive Boothville, LA 70038

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA:
Date: December 15-17, 2021
Location: 3230 Galleria Cr. Hoover AL 35244

CITY OF GRETNA WIC OFFICE:
Date: December 16, 2021
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Location: 429 Wall Blvd, Gretna, LA

LAPLACE/ST. JOHN PARISH:
Date: December 17-18, 2021
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: several locations due to demand

GREATER EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH:
Date: December 18, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: 2324 Old Compton Road, Harvey, LA

COMMUNITY OUTREACH CENTER:
Date: December 18, 2021
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: 15577 Highway 15 Davant, LA

GRAND ISLE, LOUISIANA:
Date: December 20, 2021
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Grand Isle Multiplex Center, 3101 Highway 1, Grand Isle, LA 70358

NEW COVENANT MISSONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, NEW ORLEANS:
Date: December 24, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: 1803 N Johnson St, New Orleans, LA 70116

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Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation partners with 'Toys for Tots', gifting 100,000 toys to children across the Gulf South region

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