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W e d n e s d ay, J u ly 9, 2025
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New digs
Animal Rescue New Orleans opens state-of-the-art shelter, finally This year marks 18 years that I have been a volunteer with Animal Rescue New Orleans. And for nearly 20 years, the rescue organization — known as ARNO — operated out of a warehouse in the Elmwood business district that was converted into a shelter. With help from the community, that’s finally changed. Construction of the new shelter, at 160 Brookhollow Esplanade in Elmwood, began in early 2024, and animals were moved in earlier this Traci year. ARNO celebrated its Howerton new shelter and adoption center recently with a ribbonANIMAL cutting ceremony and grand RESCUE opening festivities. After years of fundraising and a generous donation from Frank and Paulette Stewart and family, ARNO was able to purchase a building and get it completely renovated into a proper shelter, fit with state-of-the-art facilities.
‘Saving grace’
A huge challenge The dream for ARNO always had been to have a real shelter. But with a shoestring budget, it sometimes felt like that would never become a reality. The old warehouse didn’t have central air and heat. We didn’t have a drainage system for cleaning the kennels. We didn’t have a lot of green space for the dogs to run and play. Walking the dogs in an industrial area with 18-wheelers often traversing the street was sometimes a challenge. But we did it. And we did it without funding from any local or state government entities. ARNO has always survived on donations, grants and the dedication and determination of our staff and volunteers. Despite the conditions of the shelter, we made sure our animals were always cared for. That they were warm and cozy with heat lamps and plenty of blankets in the winter, and they had porta-cooler fans, frozen water bottles and shade in the summer. We had a sprinkler system on the roof to cool the metal building. We may not have had fancy amenities, but our animals were always happy and healthy.
ä See SHELTER, page 4G
ART IN SESSION
STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Ava Whitted, 6, looks at a book during Camp Benny.
Summer camp for autistic youth a big benefit for whole families
BY MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer
Carpools and camp T-shirts were things Brooke Stewart never thought she’d face as the mother of a nonverbal child with autism. “I’ve been experiencing things for the first time,” Stewart said. “Like putting labels in her camp shirts. People do that every year, and I never thought that I would be “I just knew in able to do that with my my heart that girl.” she had a great This year, 6-year-old Ava joined Camp Benny, day.” a summer camp for BROOKE STEWART, children with autism. Ava uses an augmentamother of Camp tive and alternative Benny camper communication device, so she’s not always able to talk about how the day went, Stewart said. “But I just knew by her mannerisms and her smiling down the hallway when she was getting ready to leave,” Stewart said. “I just knew in my heart that she had a great day.” Stewart said it was a complete change in behavior for Ava. And this was after one day of summer camp. Ava gets almost five more weeks of fun.
What is Camp Benny?
STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Erin Cessna draws mustaches on campers with chocolate at the French-themed booth during the Country Day Creative Arts Banquet. ä More photos. PAGE 2G
This is its first year, with the help of Kidcam Camps, an operations company with 30 locations across the Southeast. Running five days a week at the University of Holy Cross in Algiers, Camp Benny gives autistic children the attention necessary to thrive and allows parents much-needed time to
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Sebastian Prevost, 7, sits with volunteer camp counselor Lucca LaBruzzo. tend to their jobs and other responsibilities. “It’s a puzzle piece for parents,” said Kidcam Camps President and CEO Melissa Conner. “Putting together, you know, one-week programs here and there if they do exist, and the truth is, there aren’t enough.” About 25% of the net proceeds from the 2024 Beignet Fest were dedicated to Camp Benny costs, which is why the camp’s logo is a beaming beignet named Benny. The rest of the funds are supplied by grants, donations and camp tuition. Amy Boyle Collins, co-founder and board chair of the Beignet Fest Foundation, started Beignet Fest in 2016 with the idea of eventually funding a summer camp for autistic children.
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ä See CAMP, page 6G
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In 2024, Collins decided it was time to start bringing the idea to fruition. “As a mom who has a child on the spectrum, I value the opportunity that is being provided here,” Collins said. “Yes, it’s the children having fun and developing skills, but it’s also the impact on the parents who can drop off their kid and go to work and know that they’re in a safe environment.” Collins remembers scouring the city every summer for a program for her son. Some mainly serve neurotypical children but designate a few spots for those needing accommodations, Collins said. To increase the camp’s accessibility, 50% of families receive financial assistance.
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Yellow Onions
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Rouses Russet Potatoes
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1
$ 65 LB
Prices good at all New Orleans, Gretna, Kenner, Metairie, Marrero, Slidell, Mandeville and Covington stores July 9th - 16th, 2025.