The list of celebrity donors continues. Anyone interested in the auction items can visit the dash-thirty-dash auction website. The online portion of the auction will end when it goes live at the Howlin’ Wolf at Black, White, and Read All Over.

The Times-Picayune issued a statement on what they say will be a revamped nola.com, to be overseen by Advance Publication’s Nola Media Group.  President of the newly created company Ricky Mathews said the online shift will offer readers a more comprehensive news source.

"The Times-Picayune, under [editor Jim Amoss’] direction, is one of the finest newspapers in the country," said Mathews, "and NOLA.com is the number one news site in Louisiana. Our best path to success lies in a digitally focused organization that combines the award-winning journalism of The Times-Picayune and the strength of NOLA.com."

According to the T-P’s numbers, 32 percent of the Times-Picayune’s staff was cut. the bulk of the layoffs occurred to the newsroom staff, which lost 84 people total. The pressroom cut 19, amounting to 40 percent of their staff, and the entire human resources department was laid off. Many older reporters and members of the pressroom staff, especially those whose skills are geared towards print journalism, will likely struggle to find employment following the upcoming shift.

Advertising representative Pitt, who would have celebrated her 15^th anniversary with the T-P in December, feels optimistic about her ability to find a new job. However, the abrupt shift has been difficult for her.

Pitt opted out of finishing out her last couple months of employment at the Times-Picayune. “I had to do something else, I felt like I could do something more productive with my time,” said Pitt. The longtime employee said that the layoffs created a divide between those offered continued employment and those who knew the date of their last day.

“It was very hurtful when people weren’t talking to me, maybe they didn’t have anything to say or didn’t know what to say. I felt like I was a pariah,” Pitt said on the atmosphere among the staff. Pitt left the paper at the end of August, and she said appreciated the T-P allowing her to leave.  

Pitt is optimistic about finding future work. “I mean they want to advertise, there is definitely a need in the city for that,” she said. Pitt worked in automotive advertising, handling car ads and the classifieds for automotive dealers. One of the hardest parts of the transition for her was losing her clients, people she said felt more like friends.

“I miss my customers, I love my customers,” said Pitt. “I communicated with them on a weekly basis.”

The recently released employee is working from home. “Right now, I’m at home doing a home-based business that I started 3.5 years ago to supplement my income. I make homemade beef jerky,” she said.

Potential bidders who love homemade kitchen fare, one of Pitt’s Beef Jerky and Beer Baskets is up for online auction through dash-thirty-dash. Although she won’t be able to attend the September 29 event, Pitt expressed tremendous gratitude for the nonprofit’s work and wants to see more of her fellow layoffs take advantage of dash-thirty-dash’ work.

“I think their efforts have just been wonderful. I believe that Rebecca has just done a tremendous job,” said Pitt. “I hope that people who aren’t yet aware of the process will apply to get help. They need to know about this organization,” she said.

The organization is holding the event at the Howlin’ Wolf from 6-9pm, and general admission tickets are $30. Music will be provided by Camile Baudoin, Matt Lemler, the Charmaine Neville Band, the Pfister Sisters, Martin Krusche, and John Rankin. Patron tickets are also available, and those who want to go the extra mile (and get access to an open bar) can donate here.  Those laid off and in need of assistance can apply for grants through dash-thirty-dash here.