SLIDELL, La. (June 29, 2006) -- New Orleans Saints rookie running back Reggie Bush was on hand when officials from the General Motors plant in Shreveport announced that GM has extended its loan of 12 Hummer H3s to Louisiana state agencies for an additional year.
After hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the region last year, GM and Hummer loaned the vehicles -- which were made in Shreveport -- to the state to aid in its relief efforts.
"I'm honored to have the opportunity to lend my personal support to helping New Orleans and its neighboring communities get back on track," said Bush, who signed an endorsement deal with Hummer before he was drafted. Bush also announced he would donate a number of autographed footballs to the Slidell Police Department that will be auctioned to raise money for a group of area charities.
Slidell is located about 30 miles northeast of New Orleans across Lake Pontchartrain.
"Hummer donated two of these vehicles to Slidell," Slidell Police Department spokesman Capt. Rob Callahan told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "We've used them for the last year, and we will continue to use them. We're grateful to General Motors for allowing us to have them. We're really appreciative to Reggie Bush. For him to come to the north shore to donate his time and these items to us means a lot."
In May, Bush and adidas donated $50,000 to Holy Rosary Academy and High School in Metairie shortly after school officials announced the school, which is dedicated to students with special learning needs, was in danger of closing due to a lack of funding.
Two weeks ago, Bush and adidas donated $86,000 to renovate Tad Gormley Stadium, a city facility where several area high schools have played football games for decades. The flood waters in the stadium after Katrina were 4 1/2 feet high. The playing surface will be named Reggie Bush Field.
