Keeping Marvin's Promise to Taylor
Donation protected
On February 10, 2016, Marvin "Word" Day, beloved waiter at the iconic Camellia Grill, passed away suddenly at his home, and the news of his death made national news as all of New Orleans grieved his loss.
For 27 years, Marvin has been a familiar face behind the simple, marble counter at Camellia Grill, the landmark diner that is a New Orleans favorite for tourists and locals alike, and in that time, Marvin had become a "celebrity waiter", singing to his patrons, encouraging them to dance, giving "fist bumps", and serving smiles as well as food.
"Camellia Grill produces graduates, because we serve brain food." He would exclaim excitedly to the college students, his infectious smile filling the room, animating it with his endearing personality.
Marvin Day was a true professional, and a mentor to many of us who worked with him, for his tireless enthusiasm for people was indeed inspiring as we laughed with him, smiling at the delight in the eyes of his patrons.
Marvin made everyone feel like they had come home, and he remembered their names when they found their way back.
For 27 years, for five and six days a week, Marvin attended to people from all over the world. The money he earned, he used to provide for his family, most notably, his daughter Taylor.
"He was a doting father, and would hold her hand if she tried to cross the street." Taylors mom said of Marvins great love for his little girl.
Taylor, an engineering major at the University of Lafayette, was Marvins pride, and he often bragged about her , proudly boasting of her academic accomplishments. Many of us that worked beside him hoped that we, too, could follow his example and see to our childrens' educations the way he so lovingly did.
Marvin was a wonderful father, a mentor and teacher, and an irreplaceable friend, and we at Camellia Grill will miss him dearly.
It is our hope that we can help our beloved friend keep his promise to his little girl, the promise that she would be able to finish school and realize her dreams, and in doing so, honor Marvin, who wanted only to see those dreams come to life for her.
We are, therefore, hoping to raise $15,000 to help pay for the remainder of her education expenses, to fulfill the promise of her loving father to her, and we would be grateful beyond words to any who would help us keep that promise on his behalf.
With roughly two years left, and the unexpected loss of her adoring father, there is looming uncertainty concerning her ability to meet the tuition fees, expenses that Marvin lovingly payed. We, the staff at Camellia Grill, have decided to help raise those funds for him, and all the funds raised will be used for the purposes of Taylors tuition and school expenses. Marvin is our family, and that makes her OUR child as well, and Marvin taught us all the meaning of love as we labored beside him, and we hope to show her just how much her father loved her by this small, simple act.
This would mean the world to Taylor, for graduating college has been hers, and her fathers dream for years now, and we would be so thankful to those who would honor his memory by helping us keep the promise he made with his heart, the promise that whispered his love to his little girl; the promise he kept, until the day he departed.
Thank you all so very much.
With love and affection,
The Staff of Camellia Grill
For 27 years, Marvin has been a familiar face behind the simple, marble counter at Camellia Grill, the landmark diner that is a New Orleans favorite for tourists and locals alike, and in that time, Marvin had become a "celebrity waiter", singing to his patrons, encouraging them to dance, giving "fist bumps", and serving smiles as well as food.
"Camellia Grill produces graduates, because we serve brain food." He would exclaim excitedly to the college students, his infectious smile filling the room, animating it with his endearing personality.
Marvin Day was a true professional, and a mentor to many of us who worked with him, for his tireless enthusiasm for people was indeed inspiring as we laughed with him, smiling at the delight in the eyes of his patrons.
Marvin made everyone feel like they had come home, and he remembered their names when they found their way back.
For 27 years, for five and six days a week, Marvin attended to people from all over the world. The money he earned, he used to provide for his family, most notably, his daughter Taylor.
"He was a doting father, and would hold her hand if she tried to cross the street." Taylors mom said of Marvins great love for his little girl.
Taylor, an engineering major at the University of Lafayette, was Marvins pride, and he often bragged about her , proudly boasting of her academic accomplishments. Many of us that worked beside him hoped that we, too, could follow his example and see to our childrens' educations the way he so lovingly did.
Marvin was a wonderful father, a mentor and teacher, and an irreplaceable friend, and we at Camellia Grill will miss him dearly.
It is our hope that we can help our beloved friend keep his promise to his little girl, the promise that she would be able to finish school and realize her dreams, and in doing so, honor Marvin, who wanted only to see those dreams come to life for her.
We are, therefore, hoping to raise $15,000 to help pay for the remainder of her education expenses, to fulfill the promise of her loving father to her, and we would be grateful beyond words to any who would help us keep that promise on his behalf.
With roughly two years left, and the unexpected loss of her adoring father, there is looming uncertainty concerning her ability to meet the tuition fees, expenses that Marvin lovingly payed. We, the staff at Camellia Grill, have decided to help raise those funds for him, and all the funds raised will be used for the purposes of Taylors tuition and school expenses. Marvin is our family, and that makes her OUR child as well, and Marvin taught us all the meaning of love as we labored beside him, and we hope to show her just how much her father loved her by this small, simple act.
This would mean the world to Taylor, for graduating college has been hers, and her fathers dream for years now, and we would be so thankful to those who would honor his memory by helping us keep the promise he made with his heart, the promise that whispered his love to his little girl; the promise he kept, until the day he departed.
Thank you all so very much.
With love and affection,
The Staff of Camellia Grill
Organizer and beneficiary
Will Laird
Organizer
New Orleans, LA
taylor day
Beneficiary