Train of Hope

St. Tammany businesswomen recognized for Train of Hope for Sandy relief

Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne has presented two Northshore businesswomen the
Louisiana Volunteer Service Award in recognition of their efforts to provide
relief supplies to victims of Hurricane Sandy.  Donna O'Daniels, President
and CEO of St. Tammany Tourist and Convention Commission, and Kim Bergeron,
former City of Slidell Director of Cultural & Public Affairs Director, were
the driving forces behind the Train of Hope for Sandy Relief, partnering
with Amtrak to deliver critical relief supplies to New York and New Jersey
following the storm.

The pair conceived of the idea shortly before midnight on November 1.
Exactly one week later, after rallying massive support through the use of
social media, O'Daniels, Bergeron and a team of volunteers were loading an
Amtrak train with over $250,000 in critical supplies. A second run with an
additional $200,000 in supplies and gifts for the children of the
storm-collected from all 50 states as a show of national support-followed
just four weeks later. O'Daniels and Bergeron accompanied both supply runs
to ensure that all donations reached pre-determined destinations where
relief was most needed.