Devoted supporters of Project Lazarus made their way on May 25 to New Orleans Lakefront Airport to celebrate at the organization’s annual Guardian Angel Gala.
The recipient of the 2016 Guardian Angel Award was David Cortez, who received it from his partner Warren Backer Jr., an honoree in 2004. This award is given to those who have contributed hours of commitment and support to Project Lazarus. Guardian Angel recipient in 1998 and longtime philanthropist Anne Milling, who attended with King Milling, was bestowed the 2016 Pawall-Desrosiers Award, given to those individuals who have made a significant commitment to and investment in Project Lazarus. Of Project Lazarus, Anne Milling said, “These are homes of love.” Very Rev. Paul Desrosiers, Project Lazarus co-founder and one of the people this award was name after, did the night’s invocation.
Applauding these two dynamos were honorary co-chairs Mark McKeown and Jason Waguespack, accompanied by Jeff Morgan, Board Chair Laura Fine, Bruce Gallassero, Kelp Littlefield, Lesli Harris, Eugene Priestley, Dr. Troy Scroggins (Guardian Angel, 2007), Don Paul Landry, Bently Graham, Mark Townsend, Joey Walker, Trey Fontana, Chris Fransen, Frances Smith (Guardian Angel, 2013) and Rodney Smith, Cynthia Molyneux (Guardian Angel, 2003), Jodi Laidlaw, Quinton Rasberry, Dustin Woehrmann and Jeff Hebert, Ryan Wentworth, Scot Billeaudeau, Rachel Wisdom, Tyler Douglas, Henry Lambert and Carey Bond (both Guardian Angel, 2012), executive director Steve Rivera, Sr. Anthony Barczykowski, DC (Guardian Angel 2012), Lily Hannigan, and Eric Paulsen, who was the emcee with Warren Backer Jr. .
Project Lazarus provides transitional housing and supportive services to people living with HIV/AIDS who have no place to live.
