How Auctions in August Has Raised over $1.7 Million for Nonprofits

How Auctions in August Has Raised over $1.7 Million for Nonprofits

Sarah Barnet is a Nonprofit Coordinator at Gulf Coast Bank, where she helps lead Auctions in August, a unique fundraising initiative that has raised nearly $1.7 million for nonprofits across the Gulf South. We sat down with Sarah to talk about how the program works, why it was created, and how it helps organizations raise funds without taking on the burden of running their own auction. She shares how businesses, community members, and nonprofits come together each year to turn donated items and experiences into meaningful support for local causes. We also discuss what makes a successful auction item, the creative donations that have stood out over the years, and how smaller nonprofits can use the program to increase both funding and visibility. Sarah gives us an inside look at the logistics behind managing hundreds of auction items, the impact Auctions in August has had on participating organizations, and Gulf Coast Bank’s broader commitment to strengthening communities through nonprofit partnerships, financial literacy, and community engagement. Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates. Follow Comfy Stone: Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pFcFNUYko2OEJEVmhYcFU2UExZbzFuNElNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYWUzRHlNOWJLaTIyV1hUX1ZaV0VVUkotTTNFaHc2ZjAyOXlWNUNaa3lQbHI1Q0NwT2hTenlCWjJveFJtY3dkZldXQ09ndlRUcDJGakVidzNVTVJ0TkpObmNsUU8xUy1XVFB1VEJXTjdwcTRyNEZTSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleducentertainment%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/ [https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB5cGdlS3lWOEUweF9uLUJMUkpsSmViY1ZaZ3xBQ3Jtc0trS2pINUlfYkNLaE50SE9qdzRvXzNJSS1NUmo4NzNnVmxWblNjaDY4YjJEZHpwMS1vT2pBR29xR0E4M3lnbzBVYUhORDlwT3JPNmQxRmQtbmIyRmNmVnNjYWFZQVBiZVpGUGVhV2huZ2FSWjhpQW15WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleducentertainment.com%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.comfystone.com/ [https://www.comfystone.com/]

The Untold History of Jewish Communities in the South with Kenneth Hoffman

Kenneth Hoffman is the Executive Director of the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. We sat down with Kenneth to talk about the museum’s mission to preserve and share over 300 years of Jewish history in the American South, and why understanding these stories matters now more than ever. From immigration and identity to community-building and cultural exchange, Kenneth shares how Southern Jewish communities helped shape the South while also creating spaces of belonging for generations of families. We also dive into the museum’s newest exhibit, Holocaust Survivors in a New Land: The New Americans Social Club of New Orleans, which highlights Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives in New Orleans after World War II. Kenneth walks us through the powerful stories behind the exhibit, the process of curating personal artifacts and oral histories, and the importance of creating spaces that encourage empathy, curiosity, and conversation. We also discuss education programs, genealogy research, New Orleans hospitality, and why the museum wants every visitor to feel at home the moment they walk through the doors. To learn more about the museum’s collection and special exhibitions, visit www.msje.org [http://www.msje.org/] Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates. Follow Comfy Stone Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pFcFNUYko2OEJEVmhYcFU2UExZbzFuNElNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYWUzRHlNOWJLaTIyV1hUX1ZaV0VVUkotTTNFaHc2ZjAyOXlWNUNaa3lQbHI1Q0NwT2hTenlCWjJveFJtY3dkZldXQ09ndlRUcDJGakVidzNVTVJ0TkpObmNsUU8xUy1XVFB1VEJXTjdwcTRyNEZTSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleducentertainment%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/ [https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB5cGdlS3lWOEUweF9uLUJMUkpsSmViY1ZaZ3xBQ3Jtc0trS2pINUlfYkNLaE50SE9qdzRvXzNJSS1NUmo4NzNnVmxWblNjaDY4YjJEZHpwMS1vT2pBR29xR0E4M3lnbzBVYUhORDlwT3JPNmQxRmQtbmIyRmNmVnNjYWFZQVBiZVpGUGVhV2huZ2FSWjhpQW15WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleducentertainment.com%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.comfystone.com/ [https://www.comfystone.com/]

The New Orleans Flooding Solution Nobody Talks About with Urban Conservancy

Emily Snyder is a Program Manager at Urban Conservancy. We sat down with Emily to talk about how Urban Conservancy is helping build a greener, healthier, and more resilient New Orleans through stormwater management, native plants, tree advocacy, and community-driven environmental education. From protecting the city’s tree canopy to helping residents better understand green infrastructure, Emily shares how small actions can create a major impact across neighborhoods. We also dive into Urban Conservancy’s work with local schools, volunteer programs, and community projects focused on reducing flooding, improving urban habitats, and making environmental advocacy more accessible for everyday residents. Emily explains why trees are one of the city’s most valuable resources, how native plants strengthen local ecosystems, and what New Orleanians can do to get involved in protecting the environment around them. Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates. Follow Comfy Stone: Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pFcFNUYko2OEJEVmhYcFU2UExZbzFuNElNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYWUzRHlNOWJLaTIyV1hUX1ZaV0VVUkotTTNFaHc2ZjAyOXlWNUNaa3lQbHI1Q0NwT2hTenlCWjJveFJtY3dkZldXQ09ndlRUcDJGakVidzNVTVJ0TkpObmNsUU8xUy1XVFB1VEJXTjdwcTRyNEZTSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleducentertainment%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/ [https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB5cGdlS3lWOEUweF9uLUJMUkpsSmViY1ZaZ3xBQ3Jtc0trS2pINUlfYkNLaE50SE9qdzRvXzNJSS1NUmo4NzNnVmxWblNjaDY4YjJEZHpwMS1vT2pBR29xR0E4M3lnbzBVYUhORDlwT3JPNmQxRmQtbmIyRmNmVnNjYWFZQVBiZVpGUGVhV2huZ2FSWjhpQW15WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleducentertainment.com%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.comfystone.com/ [https://www.comfystone.com/]

The Emotional Reality of the NICU with Saul's Light

As part of our Maternal Health Month series this May, we’re highlighting the voices, organizations, and conversations shaping the future of care for families in New Orleans. Joined by guest host Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and host of the Little Brain Campaign podcast, we’re bringing added perspective to these important conversations. Throughout the month, we’re diving into the realities of maternal health, the gaps that still exist, and the people working every day to create safer, more supportive systems for parents. Kimberly Novod is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Saul’s Light, a Louisiana nonprofit dedicated to supporting NICU families and families experiencing infant loss. We sat down with Kimberly to talk about the realities of navigating the NICU, the emotional toll that premature birth and infant loss can have on families, and how Saul’s Light is creating a community of support through peer mentorship, advocacy, mental health resources, and direct assistance for parents across Louisiana. We also dive into the larger maternal health challenges facing Louisiana, including transportation barriers, healthcare inequities, access to donor milk, and the importance of family-centered NICU care. Kimberly shares how Saul’s Light is working alongside hospitals, healthcare professionals, and lawmakers to create lasting change for mothers, babies, and bereaved families while building a future where every family has access to the care and support they deserve. Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. The Missions Bayou Maternal Health series is hosted by Maya McGee and Dr. Lauren LaRose. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Dr. Lauren LaRose is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and the host of The Little Brain Campaign Podcast. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates. Follow Comfy Stone Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pFcFNUYko2OEJEVmhYcFU2UExZbzFuNElNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYWUzRHlNOWJLaTIyV1hUX1ZaV0VVUkotTTNFaHc2ZjAyOXlWNUNaa3lQbHI1Q0NwT2hTenlCWjJveFJtY3dkZldXQ09ndlRUcDJGakVidzNVTVJ0TkpObmNsUU8xUy1XVFB1VEJXTjdwcTRyNEZTSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleducentertainment%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/ [https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB5cGdlS3lWOEUweF9uLUJMUkpsSmViY1ZaZ3xBQ3Jtc0trS2pINUlfYkNLaE50SE9qdzRvXzNJSS1NUmo4NzNnVmxWblNjaDY4YjJEZHpwMS1vT2pBR29xR0E4M3lnbzBVYUhORDlwT3JPNmQxRmQtbmIyRmNmVnNjYWFZQVBiZVpGUGVhV2huZ2FSWjhpQW15WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleducentertainment.com%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.comfystone.com/ [https://www.comfystone.com/] Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign [https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign] Website: https://www.littlebraincampaign.com/ [https://www.littlebraincampaign.com/]

From Crisis to Care: Improving Maternal Health with Clover

As part of our Maternal Health Month series this May, we’re highlighting the voices, organizations, and conversations shaping the future of care for families in New Orleans. Joined by guest host Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and host of the Little Brain Campaign podcast, we’re bringing added perspective to these important conversations. Throughout the month, we’re diving into the realities of maternal health, the gaps that still exist, and the people working every day to create safer, more supportive systems for parents. Chante Lewis is the Senior Director of Program Operations at Clover. We talk with her about how Clover is addressing Louisiana’s maternal health crisis through its Parents as Educators program, a home-based model that equips parents to be their child’s first teacher while also providing critical prenatal and postpartum support. From in-home visits with educators, nurses, and doulas to streamlined access to services like WIC and Healthy Start, this approach is designed to reduce barriers and better support families during and after pregnancy. We also dive into the real impact this model is having, from dramatic reductions in low birth weight and negative birth outcomes to major improvements in early childhood development. Chante shares how Clover’s wraparound, community-driven care is changing outcomes not just for babies, but for entire families, and why expanding this model across Louisiana could transform maternal health on a larger scale. Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. The Missions Bayou Maternal Health series is hosted by Maya McGee and Dr. Lauren LaRose. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Dr. Lauren LaRose is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and the host of The Little Brain Campaign Podcast. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates. Follow Comfy Stone Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3pFcFNUYko2OEJEVmhYcFU2UExZbzFuNElNQXxBQ3Jtc0tsYWUzRHlNOWJLaTIyV1hUX1ZaV0VVUkotTTNFaHc2ZjAyOXlWNUNaa3lQbHI1Q0NwT2hTenlCWjJveFJtY3dkZldXQ09ndlRUcDJGakVidzNVTVJ0TkpObmNsUU8xUy1XVFB1VEJXTjdwcTRyNEZTSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fleducentertainment%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/ [https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/] Website: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazB5cGdlS3lWOEUweF9uLUJMUkpsSmViY1ZaZ3xBQ3Jtc0trS2pINUlfYkNLaE50SE9qdzRvXzNJSS1NUmo4NzNnVmxWblNjaDY4YjJEZHpwMS1vT2pBR29xR0E4M3lnbzBVYUhORDlwT3JPNmQxRmQtbmIyRmNmVnNjYWFZQVBiZVpGUGVhV2huZ2FSWjhpQW15WQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fleducentertainment.com%2F&v=zkt3ZsLUok0https://www.comfystone.com/ [https://www.comfystone.com/] Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign [https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign] Website: https://www.littlebraincampaign.com/ [https://www.littlebraincampaign.com/]