Respond Against Fear and Violence (RAFA V) Unveils RAFApalooza
NEW ORLEANS, LA On September 25, 2011, Rafael Rafa Delgadillo was shot in the head by two youth in New Orleans during an attempted carjacking. Miraculously, Rafael lived, but the bullet is still lodged in his brain and his sight remains drastically impaired. As a result, the Respond Against Fear and Violence (RAFA V) announces RAFApalooza: A Fundraiser, Silent Auction, and Anti-Violence Event that will bring together New Orleanians from all walks of life to stand united against violent crime in New Orleans.
RAFApalooza will take place on Thursday, November 17, 2011 from 7 p.m. -10 p.m. at the Bayou Beer Garden, 326 North Jefferson Davis Parkway in New Orleans.
http://rafapalooza.eventbrite.com
Tickets are $20.
TICKETS ARE LIMITED. BUY NOW.
Half of all proceeds raised at RAFApalooza will go directly to help pay for Rafael’s medical expenses, the other half of the proceeds will go to an anti-violence nonprofit in New Orleans, which Rafael will announce at RAFApalooza.
The event will feature food and drinks donated by local restaurants, a silent auction with items from generous donors, and words from Rafael Delgadillo, as well as community leaders about the need to make a systemic change to end violence in the city. Local photography company, Dear World, will also lead a Dear Rafa photo shoot to allow citizens to make a visual statement to support Rafael and the end of violence in the city.
“We need to support initiatives dedicating their mission to ensuring violence is curbed, said Bivian Sonny Lee III, founder of the Son of a Saint Sports Foundation. Let’s celebrate the birth of the RAFA V Foundation, support its mission and start affecting lives. We owe it to Rafael and to New Orleans.”
RAFApalooza is supported by partner groups across New Orleans, including Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, Councilmember Susan G. Guidry, Committee for a Better New Orleans, Cuba Arts Collective, Dear World, EngageNOLA, evacuteer.org, 504ward, Foundation for Louisiana, Latin American Civic Association of Louisiana (LACAL), LatinoLA, Mid-City Neighborhood Catalog, Neighborhood Partnership Network (NPN), Puentes, Public Leaders Fellowship, Son of a Saint Sports Foundation, UNO Alumni Association, UNO History Department, UNO Latin American Students Association, Urban League, Vietnamese American Young Leaders Association of New Orleans (VAYLA-NO), Young Leadership Council
Please direct donation or partnership inquiries to Sara Hudson at rafa.fundraiser@gmail.com
or (504) 534-8034.
About RAFA V
In the aftermath of the shooting of Rafael Delgadillo, friends and community members formed the Respond Against Fear and Violence (RAFA V) Foundation to address systemic issues of youth violence in New Orleans, and to support Rafael. We raise awareness and fundraise to help heal Rafa and New Orleans.
Generous RAFApalooza Supporters
Food donations for RAFApalooza come from generous donations from local organizations and restaurants, including Boswells, Divino Corazón, Finn McCool’s, Leidenheimer Bread, Tom’s Frozen Yogurt, Whole Foods and more.
Silent Auction donations to date come from the generosity of many New Orleans institutions, including Omni Hotel, the Sheraton Hotel, Boucherie, Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Piece ‘A Work Art Gallery, José Torres-Toma, the Monte Leon Children’s Holiday Party, Ur Way Yogurt & Coffee Bar.