Thoth Charities

 The Krewe of Thoth was founded in 1947. Since its founding, the krewe of Thoth has been an integral part of New Orleans Mardi Gras and will continue to provide residents and visitors to the city, a first-class parade on the second Sunday of carnival. The founders of Thoth had a vision to be part of carnival and more importantly, a community contributor. Since our first parade in 1947, our route was designed to pass institutions where residents were not otherwise able to view a Mardi Gras parade. To this day, the Krewe of Thoth still parades on the same route to pass in front of these institutions. Because of our determination to stay the course and continue to pass in front of these institutions, the Krewe of Thoth is known affectionately as “krewe of the shut ins”. 

In 1951, a few of our members decided to expand the parade route and stage a separate “walking parade” the Wednesday before our street procession. Appearing in full costume, about 100 Thoth members travel to seven institutions – Uptown Shepherds Center, Poor Claire Nuns, John J. Heinkel Jr. Rehab Center Day Facility, Lighthouse for the Blind, Poydras Home for the Elderly, and the Covenant Nursing Home – where they mingle with the residents and hand out throws. At the end of these visits, the Thoth men participate in the Krewe of Angels Ball Masque at the Heinkel Center (formerly known as the New Orleans home and rehab center) since the residents started having the ball in 1962. In addition to the approximately one hundred members, the captain of Thoth, Thoth officers and the reigning king and queen join in participating in the Krewe of Angels Ball Masque.

The Thoth Walk became the Thoth Charity Walk in 2015 and along with the charity golf tournament and charity fishing rodeo, it is a featured event that gives back to the institutions we visit by providing more than the Mardi Gras favors we bring the day of the walk. The Charity Walk has purchased a van for the lighthouse of the blind, donated a complete dental facility for the Heinkel center along with a sound system for their auditorium. In addition to these donations, Thoth charities has made monetary donations to each of the seven institutions visited since 2015. We are grateful that we can contribute and bring Mardi Gras joy to some that otherwise would not be able to participate in our city’s wonderful tradition. Confidently we can continue our tradition of the Thoth Charity Walk for many years to come.