NEW ORLEANS – To show its long-time support for the New Orleans community ahead of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention and Expo this week, NADA Foundation donated $50,000 to the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, which supports Café Reconcile.

“My wife Alden and I are delighted that NADA has chosen the Emeril Lagasse Foundation as a grant recipient in conjunction with their convention. This generous philanthropic gift will help us positively impact the lives of more children,” said Chef Emeril Lagasse, chairman and founder of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation. “Thank you for bringing your convention to New Orleans and for supporting the Emeril Lagasse Foundation.”

The NADA Foundation, since its inception in 1975, has a long history of providing financial support to New Orleans and surrounding communities from hurricane and flood relief efforts, renovating the athletic fields at Lusher Charter School, supporting Second Harvest Food Bank to numerous CPR donations to local organizations.

“The NADA Foundation through amazing contributions from our dealer network has supported dealership families, military families and children in need from natural disasters and times of emergency, like hurricanes Katrina and Rita and most recently, the flooding in Baton Rouge,” said Annette Sykora, chairman of the NADA Foundation. “Through it all, NADA has been there to help.”

The Emeril Lagasse Foundation, founded in 2002, supports organizations that create opportunities to inspire and mentor youth through culinary, nutrition and arts education with a focus on life skills development.

“NADA’s generous gift will help us continue to provide the financial resources to those organizations that rely on our support and to expand our reach to more youths across the nation,” said Brian Kish, president of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation.

New Orleans has hosted the NADA convention 12 times since 1973. The four-day event runs from Jan. 26 to 29, 2017, at the Morial Convention Center. More than 23,000 new-car dealers and their managers, automotive industry professionals and exhibitor staff are expected to attend.

“The NADA convention has a positive impact on our local economy and their philanthropic spirit leaves a lasting legacy that will benefit all of us for years to come,” Kish added. “We are honored to be the recipient of their support this year. We will ensure the gift is invested wisely in the youth of our communities.”