For some, finding room for laughter in a post-Katrina world may be a little difficult. But a free event in Slidell on Thursday could help.

Mike Marino Jr., a professional speaker and New Orleans native, will present “Post-Katrina: Lessons Learned. Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?” at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, beginning at 7 p.m.

Although admission is free, an offering will be collected to cover transportation and lodging for two groups of United Methodist volunteers from Pennsylvania who will travel to the area in July for a week of rebuilding projects.

Marino

According to Carl Fuglein, a volunteer youth counselor at Aldersgate, the event came about after one of the Pennsylvania groups contacted the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, looking for ideas on presenting a Mardi Gras-themed benefit to fund a relief trip. Marino heard about the project and got in touch with Matt Schweitzer, a Wayne, Penn., youth director.

“He told Matt he would be willing to donate his time to do a free presentation, but getting to Pennsylvania was going to be a problem,” said Fuglein. “That’s when Matt called me.”

Fuglein is a former Pennsylvania resident, having moved there from Slidell in 1995 after being transferred by his employer, Lockheed Martin. He moved back to Slidell in August 2007, after the birth of his first grandchild because he wanted to be a “hands-on grandpa.”

A longtime youth minister at Aldersgate, Fuglein joined a church in West Chester, Penn., and became involved with the youth group there. Schweitzer had been a member of that group as a teen before moving on and starting his own group in Wayne.

After returning to Slidell, Fuglein had invited his former West Chester youth group to come to the area and get involved with Katrina relief. When Schweitzer called, he said it just made sense to do the event at Aldersgate, and both groups would benefit.

The event promises to be educational, exciting and entertaining.

Marino has been entertaining and speaking professionally since 1984. He is a Navy veteran, Distinguished Toastmaster, licensed New Orleans tour guide and a member of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. He is a contributing author to two books, “Success is a Team Effort” and “Success is a Journey.”

Aldersgate is located at 360 Robert Blvd. in Slidell. For more information about Thursday’s event, call 643-6039.