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It has often been said that it is important for us to get more young people involved in the community. The future does belong to them, and they should have a hand in building it and making decisions. We have a number of organizations that have engaged young people and gotten them involved, including Forum 35, Junior League, A6 and Leadership Baton Rouge.

It is in that spirit that Christy Reeves, with Blue Cross/Blue Shield Foundation, and I put our heads together to launch a new effort: “50 For The Future.” We sought out 48 leaders, mostly young professionals, who would join with us in a one-month blitz to visit companies in the Capital Region and share information about the Day of Caring, Friday, April 18, and the growing needs of the Capital Area United Way.

We all know health and social needs have grown post-Katrina. I have shared before in this column that 53 United Way agencies provided a total of 13,394,308 services in 2006 compared to 7,327,802 services in 2004. That’s an incredible 82% increase in two years. As we continue to grow as a region, so will the needs. That is why we mobilized “50 For The Future.” They are going to come ask you to help.

The goal for this year’s Day of Caring is to coordinate the largest volunteer effort in a single day in the history of the Capital Region. On the Web site, Thewaytohelp.com, it notes “the Day of Caring is a community-wide service day where volunteers from all over the 10-parish Capital Area will join local nonprofit organizations to work on one-time service projects. Participating organizations are matched with volunteers from the community and local businesses, who choose to contribute their time and services in an effort to impact our communities’ needs.”

Stephen Ledoux of Dow Chemical, a past participant, said, “The Day of Caring program creates a wonderful opportunity for employees to engage themselves with the community. It’s great knowing you’re helping the community, but an even better feeling is seeing how your efforts positively impact people.”

This year, Hands on Baton Rouge [a part of Volunteer Baton Rouge] will be assisting the United Way. We are welcoming projects from any nonprofit—not limiting it to the 53 United Way agencies. But more projects mean we need more volunteers and more companies involved. How about your company and employees coming out for this one special day?

In addition to the Day of Caring, members of “50 For The Future” will share about “workplace giving” and the new “campaign in a box.” We want you to know why the United Way is unique and make it easy for every small business to participate and help those who are elderly, hungry, battle a disease or just might be less fortunate than many of us.

I applaud these leaders who have stepped up to give of their time and make a difference. They inspire me and give me comfort about the future of our community. You can see who they are on pages 22-23 of this issue. If you run into them, give them a pat on the back. Better yet, call one you know and ask them to come by and visit during this next month.

As the incoming chairman of the 2008 United Way Campaign, I salute all those who give so generously to United Way and so many other nonprofits and churches in our community. I also want to commend the many young people who are involved and have chosen not to be spectators. Thank you for serving others.

New Orleans still got it

January was a great month in the Big Easy. New Orleans played host to the Sugar Bowl, followed by the BCS Championship Game. The Superdome was rocking, and so was the Crescent City. Fans from Georgia, Hawaii and Ohio paraded the streets—not to mention the thousands clad in purple and gold.

Hotels were full, restaurants were buzzing and the music played on. My wife and I went down to watch the Tigers win another crystal football. It was exciting to see all the activity on Canal Street. Business was booming, and it was good to witness.

Best of all, I asked this question to a number of Buckeye fans, who had been to Phoenix for the 2007 BCS Championship Game: “Which city did you enjoy visiting more?” The answer was quick and unanimous: New Orleans. They loved the food, the music, the sights and the people.

Hats off to New Orleans. They’ve still got what it takes for a good time.

BREC needs new faces

I was in Washington, D.C., recently, when I heard a rumor of what was happening back in the Capital City. Two of the BREC commission seats are up for appointment by the Metro Council, and there was talk that Commissioner Darrell Glasper might have the seven votes needed to be reappointed. “You must be kidding,” was my reaction. This guy should have never been appointed in the first place and has been a disaster—and divisive force at BREC. That he could even come close to getting support from seven folks may say more about the Metro Council than it does about Darrell Glasper.

We recently had a Daily Report poll that asked if Glasper should be reappointed, and 82% said, “No.”

The vote is happening Wednesday night at the Metro Council. [Call your council member.] There are many good applicants for these two open positions. Let’s hope the majority of the Metro Council will go with the very best of the bunch—and that’s not Glasper.

McCain moves on

While Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama battle it out for the next several months, the Republican nominee has been chosen: Sen. John McCain. And what a political story that is to tell. He came back from the grave last summer. It just proves he is a fighter who doesn’t surrender.

You also have to be impressed with the Super Tuesday showing of Mike Huckabee. He certainly struck a chord with many in the South.

With Mitt Romney out last week, the party has a chance to come together and prepare for a fierce battle with the Democrats this fall. That could prove to be a challenge with a fractured Republican party that can’t seem to define the word “conservative.” [Depends on who you ask.] Fact is, the GOP is not what it used to be. It has grown much larger, and now there are factions within the ranks. We need to deal with it and figure out how to work together and win in November.