“Big Night Out” a Huge Success

Last Thursday was a night to be remembered. The Zach Strief Dream Big Foundation hosted the “Big Night Out,” a gala event at Generations Hall to benefit Café Reconcile. The event featured silent and live auctions as well as 16 local caterers. More than 900 fans and supporters attended, including 20 members of the undefeated New Orleans Saints.

Zach Strief is in his fourth year as an offensive tackle for the Saints. Along with his wife Mandy, a Louisiana native, he founded the Dream Big Foundation in 2006 as a way to give back to the greater New Orleans community. “The goal of the Dream Big Foundation is to enrich the lives of children in our community,” Strief said. “We’ve come together and made a tremendous show of support here tonight.”

Café Reconcile is a nonprofit restaurant that uses innovative strategies to provide life skills and job training to youth from highly distressed communities in the New Orleans area. Many of Reconcile’s students arrive facing extreme hardships such as poverty, homelessness, violence and participation in the juvenile justice system. Through the years, Reconcile New Orleans has provided more than 500 youth with an opportunity to enact positive changes in their lives.

Sr. Mary Lou Specha, Executive Director of Reconcile New Orleans, said: “We’re so grateful to Zach and Mandy for their commitment to our mission. Working together we are building hope and changing lives for young people in New Orleans.”

A check presentation ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, December 22 at Cafe Reconcile.

To learn more about the Zach Strief Dream Big Foundation, please visit: www.dreambignola.com.