Donate in the Name of Mardi Gras

After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the surrounding areas, the spirit of Mardi Gras took on a brand new meaning. People from across the globe have chosen to open their hearts (and wallets) to support this worth cause. Here's a few creative ways you can help.

• If you attended a Mardi Gras party and you were (ahem) lucky enough to come home with enough beads to give you neck pain, you might want to think about repenting the good old fashioned way - donate your beads!
  
  Check your local church, which may use them for crafting and decorating, for donating to various causes, and/or for fundraising. One institution that uses donated beads to employ people with disabilities is The Arc of Greater of New Orleans. Who knew charity could be so much fun?

• If you want the best of both worlds - a rockin' Mardi Gras bash and a reason to do-good this Lent, look no further than the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. They encourage fund raisers as the best way to come up with a hefty donation. And isn't a fund raiser pretty much the same as a party?

For Mardi Gras party ideas, New Orleans-based food and drink recipes and mask decorating tips, we've got you covered.