Good Apples

Eight outstanding community members were honored as “Good Apples” for their commitment to social justice.

05/01/2018

Shelby Simon, Photos by Kenny Martinez,

Honorees Lillian Grappe and Caroline Crosby

Louisiana Appleseed hosted its largest-ever “Good Apple Gala” with more than 250 in attendance in support of the organization’s mission to engage professionals to solve Louisiana’s problems at the root cause.

This year’s “Good Apples” consisted of Community Honorees and Pro Bono Honorees recognized for tremendous generosity and impact on social justice. Community Honorees were: Chief Justice Bernette Johnson of the Louisiana Supreme Court, Alan Philipson and Kenneth Polite of Entergy Corporation. Pro Bono Honorees were: Caroline Crosby and Lillian Grappe of Phelps Dunbar; Sam Ford of Scott, Vicknair, Hair and Checki LLC; and Patty McMurray of Baker Donelson and her daughter Madison McMurray of UVA Law School.

Louisiana Appleseed also premiered a video by Crista Rock Productions, which featured Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Watson, residents of the Lower 9th Ward, explaining how the organization helped them get the correct legal paperwork to save their family home.

The Event Committee included Kathlyn Perez Bethune, Christy Harowski and Steven Lane. The program was Emceed by Board Member Camille Whitworth. Board President Allison Berger Tiller and Executive Director Christy Kane distributed the awards.

The NOPSI Hotel hosted the awards ceremony and featured Carte des Vins Champage and a Fraiche Oyster Bar as well as passed hors d’oeuvres and a banh mi station. A NOCCA quartet provided live jazz.

In addition to the popular “Everybody’s a Winner" wine and bourbon raffles, the gala also offered the Rare Wine Raffle, a basket of rare red wines raffled for $100 with only 20 chances.

Following the gala, guests ventured to the after party at underCURRENT bar.