How can you not think of New Orleans? Mardi Gras season is here and the New Orleans Saints just won their first ever Super Bowl. You can practically taste the chicory coffee and fresh baked beignets.  

The Big Easy is a beautiful city that has gone through a tremendous ordeal in the years following Katrina. While many left the Crescent City, others have rushed in to help rebuild and restore the vibrant community spirit it has always been known for.

I have been to New Orleans on four separate occasions, twice before and twice after Katrina. Things have definitely changed but it is less about a tragic decline and more about a triumphant redefinition. A major reason for this rebirth has been a cadre of entrepreneurs who have made New Orleans their adopted home and have joined those already there to lead the city’s new era.

One such entrepreneur, Sloane Berrent relocated to the city this past year after spending a number of weeks visiting earlier in the spring. Sloane is a cause-based marketing consultant and social entrepreneur. She’s also a Savvy Auntie with seven nieces and nephews with ages ranging from 12 to 17.

A former Kiva Fellow, Sloane also co-created “Cause It’s My Birthday,” a malaria prevention campaign. Since relocating to the Crescent City, she co-launched NOLAlicious and organized the first CrisisCampNOLA. Most recently, Sloane attended the World Economic Forum as the citizen journalist for MySpace and The Wall Street Journal. In between all of her activities, she took a few moments to share her perspective on New Orleans (aka NOLA) and how Savvy Aunties can help give back.

You've recently relocated to NOLA. What was it that called you there?
I believe if New Orleans succeeds in rebuilding so does America. I believe New Orleans is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help a city reinvent itself. I want to do everything I can to help New Orleans, the city, and New Orleanians, the people. When I look back on my life, I want to say with certainty that when a great natural disaster struck America's greatest city that I contributed in some way to helping her get back on her feet and didn't sit idly by.

The Wild West meets social entrepreneurial atmosphere means I can create roots and a viable business for myself in a city with a low cost of living and strong sense of family and community. Culture, amazing food, and spontaneous music fill the streets and sidewalks at every turn. The people are among the most kind and thoughtful I have ever met. The Saints are winning for the first time ever! There is no better time to be in New Orleans - some come for a conference, others for a festival or with family - and some, like me, get bitten by the beautiful essence that encapsulates New Orleans, pulls us close, and makes it hard to think about being anywhere else.

What is the community spirit like in New Orleans post-Katrina?
Tremendous. The community spirit is stronger than ever - the big difference being it's not just locals - but everyone. Native sons and daughters who have come home post-Katrina to participate in the economic ecosystem and the best and brightest from around the country who have come to be a part of rebuilding New Orleans.

New Orleans is the backbone of America. Not only is it the birthplace of jazz, it is the second largest port for immigrants just behind Ellis Island.

How can a Savvy Auntie help New Orleans? What can they do along with their nieces & nephews?
Make a donation to a New Orleans nonprofit. Buy a product from a New Orleans-based company like Fleurty Girl T-shirts, Feel Goodz flip flops, and the Naked Pizza franchise opening around the country in 2010. Come visit New Orleans and spend your money here. Stay for an extra day to volunteer.

Which charities are doing some really amazing things?
St. Bernard Project – As the very deserving CNN hero of the year in 2008, this great organization is rebuilding houses in the St. Bernard Parish. They have amazing outreach programs and are creating tangible good.  

Roots of Music – Music education, tutoring, and empowerment for students in low-income schools in New Orleans can make a powerful difference. Music education can lead to high school placement at the top music high school here, which can lead to college scholarships. Founder Derek Tabb was a finalist for 2009 CNN hero of the year.

9th Ward Field Of Dreams - Brian Bordainick, the 24-year-old founder, stumbled upon creating this project when his Teach for America assignment in the 9th Ward was at a school still in FEMA trailers years after Katrina with no public fields. This has become quite an inspiring story and their goal is to break ground on March 1 for a football and track facility to be finished by the fifth anniversary of Katrina on August 29, 2010.

All three accept donations.

Sloane Berrent speaks frequently on community building and blogs at The Causemopolitan.

Scott Henderson  is principal of Rally the Cause Productions and is also "Uncle Scott" to eight nieces and nephews.