Rosen Foundation Selling Wristbands to Raise Funds for New Orleans

Lache pas la patate. Don't give up.

That's the message the Harris Rosen Foundation is relaying to the people of New Orleans with a wristband designed to raise funds and help with the relief effort and the rebuilding of the city in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Lache pas la patate (pronounced: losh pa la pa – tot) is debossed on all the wristbands, both in its Cajun origins and an English translation. Literally, it means “don’t drop the potato” but conveys the message “don’t give up” or “hang in there.” The phrase was popularized in 1974 by Cajun country and western musician Jimmy C. Newman in 1974 when he recorded a hit song of the same title. The expression also served as the title of a book about Cajun Louisiana by author Revon Reed. The book, like the wristband, is a testament to the will and spirit of the people of Louisiana.

As another tribute to the people of New Orleans, the wristband will feature the tri-colors of purple, green and yellow that represent the spirit and bright culture of the city known as "The Big Easy."

The Harris Rosen Foundation logo and type is embossed on the inside of the wristband.

The wristbands are made of silicone and were conceived by Carla Stanton, a production manager at Terry/Kane Orlando, Inc., an Orlando based marketing and advertising agency.

"The purpose of the wristband is to provide a tangible item for the community of Orlando to identify as a way to raise monies for those in need and to signify that this specific band is for a particular effort: to provide relief and rebuilding funds for the people of New Orleans,"says Harris Rosen, President of The Harris Rosen Foundation and President and COO of Rosen Hotels and Resorts.

"Lache pas la patate is an ideal message to send to our neighbors in New Orleans. We don’t want them to give up on their vital city. It has a place in our hearts and as an icon of the United States of America. New Orleans's cultural diversity is an example of what makes our country great. It is also home to many citizens in dire need of aid and assistance."

Each wristband will cost $5. They will be sold through the various Rosen properties in the Orlando area, including Rosen Plaza at 9700 International Drive and Rosen Centre at 9840 International Drive, as well as through the efforts of committed businesses throughout the city and surrounding communities, including The Wave Hair Salon on Colonial Dr. near Fashion Square, Foreign Accents on S. Orange Ave., Octopus Car Wash on Mills Ave. / 17-92, Terry/Kane Orlando Marketing & Advertising near Lake Eola/Downtown and Habitat for Humanity Orlando Headquarters, on Traylor, off North OBT. The wristbands can also be purchased at www.lplp-project.org. 100% of the funds collected will be distributed evenly between the Rosen Foundation and the Habitat for Humanity Operation Home Delivery and The American Humane Association.

For more information about the Rosen Foundation wristbands, contact Frank Santos, CFO, Rosen Hotels and Resorts, at 407-996-8546 or visit www.lplp-project.org.