After a hurricane unleashed its damage on Louisiana in early July 2024, proactive thought was that inevitably, disaster again would strike New Orleans and the metro area, and that those affected would require speedy assistance.

That largely explains why New Orleans Saints owner/New Orleans Pelicans governor Gayle Benson made a $1.25 million donation to the Greater New Orleans Foundation in mid-July 2024, which became the Gayle and Tom Benson Disaster Relief Fund.

The horrifying jolt that the first disaster requiring assistance afterward would be a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, during the early morning hours of New Year's Day 2025, amplified the fact that almost immediately the GNOF was prepared to assist those who were most affected by the attack.

"In the wake of the tragic events on Bourbon Street this New Year's, we are fully committed to supporting the victims and their families," Gayle Benson said. "Through the Greater New Orleans Foundation's disaster relief fund, we will provide vital assistance to those affected, ensuring they have the resources they need during this challenging time.

"It is our collective responsibility to support our community in times of hardship, and I will continue to stand with New Orleans as we heal together."

Fourteen people were killed and dozens more injured as the driver, Shamsud Din Jabbar, ran them down in a truck before being killed after exchanging gunfire with police.

"Because of Mrs. Benson's gift, we will not have to scramble so much to get started when disaster strikes," Andy Kopplin, the president and CEO of the GNOF, said during the donation announcement in July. The GNOF serves the 13-parish region of metro New Orleans.

"We will be ready to make those first grants to get our response and recovery going, and to get the additional fund-raising started," Kopplin said.