Valero Meraux donates $200,000 to charities that serve St. Bernard

Local children’s charities received $200,000 on Oct. 29 from employees and business partners of the Valero Meraux Refinery, who helped raise the money through sponsorship of the 2013 Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children Golf Classic in San Antonio.

“It gives us great joy to be able to support the children of Southeast Louisiana once again,” said Lauren Bird, Vice President and General Manager of Valero Meraux Refinery. “These are gifts meant to inspire our community agencies to continue their good work, and improve the lives of the children they serve.”

Thanks to the generosity of Valero’s business partners and sponsors, the Valero Texas Open remains one of the most charitable tournaments on the PGA TOUR. This year nationwide, Valero will distribute a record $10 million to children’s charities in the areas where it does business. Agencies selected to receive Benefit for Children dollars each year are nominated and selected by Valero employees.

The checks presented on Oct. 29, ranging in amounts from $10,000 to $30,000 will further the work being done by agencies with a proven track record for children.

The 2013 Valero Benefit for Children local recipients are Arc of Greater New Orleans, Children's Wish Endowment Inc., Family Service of Greater New Orleans, Greater New Orleans Muscular Dystrophy Association, Liberty's Kitchen, Plaquemines Community CARE Centers Foundation Inc., Ronald McDonald House of New Orleans, Santa on the Bayou Inc., Troop B Children's Grant-A-Wish Foundation Inc. , Troop L Grant-A-Wish, and Youth Rescue Initiative.