Volunteer Ascension holds annual recognition lunch

Volunteer Ascension held their annual recognition lunch, honoring dedicated supporters of the organization on Feb. 26.

Those who contribute to Volunteer Ascension through funding and valuable in-kind services were treated to a lunch at The Carriage House. Board of Directors President Randall LeJeune and Past President Jobie Templet handed out certificates of appreciation.

“These dedicated supporters provide the necessary funding and services that made it possible for Volunteer Ascension to provide over one million dollars in services and volunteer hours to those in need in 2008. They are very significant in assisting us to carry out our mission, and we sincerely thank them,” said Audrey Boudreaux, executive director of Volunteer Ascension.

Volunteer Ascension, where Volunteers are Changing Lives, is a local not-for-profit service organization that strives to positively impact the needs of Ascension Parish by promoting and developing volunteerism. The organization touches an estimated 14,700 individuals in our community through its volunteer based programs such as Community Services, ConnecTeens, Make A Difference Day, School Tools and School Uniforms. Our Patron Level funders are Parish of Ascension, Atmos Energy Corporation, BASF Corporation, EATEL and Whitney National Bank. Volunteer Ascension is a member of the Points of Light/Hands on Network and receives funding from the community and local private sector. 

Those attending were Evelyn Himel and Gloria Stelly-St. Theresa Church; Glenda Shaheen-Glen Shaheen & Associates; Donna Whittington-River Parishes Community College; Sherrie Despino-E.A. Rotary; Dee LeJeune-St. Elizabeth Hospital; Donna Villar-Villar & Co Real Estate; Julie Rivett-The Carriage House; Louise McFadden-St. John Church; Gussie Hahn-CF Industries; Larry Ogden-OxyChem; Orhan McMillan-dezinsINTERACTIVE; Jacob Waguespack-Faulk & Winkler CPAs; Mike Cohen-BASF Corporation; Donald Songy-A.P. School Board; Ken and Judy Firmin-Acadian Waste Disposal Service; Veronica Melancon-United Community Bank; Pat Bell-A.P. Council; Larry Townsend-Alaric Corporation; Tim Pujol-Pujol & Pryor Attorneys; Lana Alleman-Whitney National Bank; Lyman Abadie-EATEL; Tammy Vidrine-Holy Rosary Church; Jeff Bellelo-Air Products & Chemicals; David Herring-Entergy Corporation; Shemaine Richardson-Whitney National Bank; and Robin Labrusso-Gonzales Weekly Citizen.     

Those who could not attend include: Atmos Energy Corporation, Layne’s Jewelers, Fellowship Center, Motiva Enterprises, Shell Chemical Company,  Accent Optical, Addicted to Chocolate, Ascension Catholic Church, Ascension Storage LLC, Athletic Center, Babin’s Cabinets, Bee Line Graphics, The Cabin, Dutch’s Cleaners, First United Methodist, Glazer’s Distributing Co., Gonzales Art Guild, Houmas House Plantation, Household of Faith, K-mart Gonzales, Kean’s the Cleaners, LaGrove Plaza, LeBlanc’s Food Stores, LeJeune’s One-Hour Martinizing, Merle Norman, Office Depot, PCS Nitrogen, Pelican Point Golf Club, Rossie’s Frames & Things, Salvation Army, St. Elizabeth Physician Couriers, St. Francis of Assisi Church, St. Michel Day Spa, St. Vincent DePaul “Uniforms for Kids,” Uniform Post, Wal-Mart Gonzales, Donaldsonville and Prairieville, and Wright’s Furniture.