Wednesday, August 01, 2007




WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN

On July 14, 2007, GL's Bonnie Dennison (Daisy), Ricky Paull Goldin (Gus), Marcy Rylan (Lizzie) and Michelle Ray Smith (Ava) returned to New Orleans for another Hands On project.

This time, they volunteered alongside the 100 fans they recruited to help repair and restore the The New Orleans Mission. The work included installing showers, shower dividers, cutting and installing molding, scraping/painting walls and floors, hanging drywall, fixing door jams and hanging exterior doors, and building sleeping cubicles.

Guiding Light’s volunteer work in New Orleans is part of the show’s 70th anniversary partnership with the Hands On Network aimed at increasing volunteering. In January, during Guiding Light’s anniversary week, the show shut down production in its New York City studio to send the entire cast and crew to volunteer in the Gulf Coast.

Hands On New Orleans brings people together to strengthen communities and develop leaders through meaningful volunteer action. Hands On New Orleans is an affiliate of the Hands On Network, a group of 64 volunteer organizations and a half million volunteers in and outside the United States.

The New Orleans Mission is a non-profit that seeks to alleviate the plight of homeless men, women and children. They opened in 1989 as an outreach program of the Los Angeles Mission. Through the support of the community they have established themselves as a self sufficient homeless shelter and an integral part of this community.

The New Orleans Mission currently houses 20 men; upon completion of their renovations they will be capable of housing 250 individuals.

Please enjoy our photos of the cast and volunteers, above.