Veteran’s Association sends care packages to troops

The Ascension Veterans Association (AVA) sent several care packages to local Army Reservists deployed overseas during the holidays. The Reservists are members of the Deployment Distribution Support Battalion in Baton Rouge. 

The contents for the care packages were collected and donated by students at Pecan Grove Elementary in Gonzales.  The students held a drive during Veterans Day to collect the items and then donated them to the AVA for disbursement.  Along with the care packages, a box of Christmas and holiday greeting cards were also sent to our troops overseas.  The cards were made and donated by the seventh and eighth grade classes of Mr. Glenn Lee at St. Amant Middle School.

The AVA would like to remind everyone that the military continues to be deployed to many austere and harsh environments throughout the world.

“If you have a loved one or know of someone from Ascension Parish who is stationed or deployed outside the United States, please contact the AVA,” Tanya Whitney said, AVA spokesperson. “Our mission is to support all our local military members by sending them a care package with a lit bit of home included.”

The AVA is preparing for the third annual Musical Salute to the Troops to be held on March 13 at the Gonzales Civic Center. 

If you are interested in joining AVA or helping out with the event, the AVA is open to all. The AVA meets on the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the VFW Hall on Churchpoint Road.  For more information about AVA, please contact Brent Gautreau at 225-485-7875.