Allen Johnson Jr.

Amongst a rainbow of flowers and sear sucker, the supporters of YMCA’s s celebrated at their 5th Annual Garden Party “planting the seeds for youth development.” On May 18, ladies and gents gathered in the late afternoon at the home and garden of Robert Merrick in Uptown New Orleans for the event chaired by Dr. and Mrs. Peter W. DeBlieux.

Karen De Blieux, who’s an alumnae of the YMCA’s Youth Leadership Development Programs, and her husband started this event and have chaired it every year. As a result, the event has truly become a family affair. Everyone from her mom to sister-in-law was there to help out. Her dad even brought the entertainment as a member of the Orleans Original Jazz Ensemble.

While music livened the scene, attendees bid on silent auction items from the finest vendors, restaurants, hotels and venues in town. Over at the buffet, everyone was a winner with a gorgeous spread donated by Restaurant August, Acme Oyster House, Whole Foods Market, Back to the Garden, Savvy Gourmet, Restaurant Patois and more. But, it wouldn’t have been a party in New Orleans with out drinks, which were donated by Republic National Distributing Co. and Abita Beer.

The event raised $50,000 that will go towards all that the YMCA’s Youth Leadership Development Programs do; these include the Leader’s Club, Youth & Government, After-School programs, Teen Centers and Child Care.
Scott Hardie with Machelle and John Payne
C. Allen Favrot, Bob Brown and chairs Karen and Dr. Peter DeBlieux
Darrell Johnson, Jennifer Hardie and Jon W. Luther
Dr. George Schneider, Kelly Gottsche and Marlin Gusman
Jane Thompson, Clé Dabezies and Toni Wendel