Valero Volunteers Serve Up Thanksgiving for Hundreds of Military Guests

SAN ANTONIO -- For the sixth Thanksgiving in a row, some 400 members of the U.S. military were treated to a traditional holiday meal courtesy of Valero Volunteers.

Soldiers from Fort Sam Houston filled a floor of Valero’s headquarters while 175 Valero Volunteers and their families served food and entertained the young military guests. The soldiers were unable to travel home for Thanksgiving because they are currently training in the Army Medical Department Center and School. All leftover meals were donated to homeless veterans in the San Antonio area.

"From Valero’s beginnings, giving back to the community has been an important part of being a Valero employee," said Jamie Baker, an organizational development specialist in Valero’s human resources department and this year’s Thanksgiving with the Troops volunteer and event organizer. "In San Antonio, giving back to the community includes helping out the men and women of the military, and sharing Thanksgiving with them is a reward in itself. This event allows Valero employees and family members the opportunity to give back and serve those that serve our country year round."

Guests were entertained by the Valero High Octane band and by their fellow servicemen and women in the "Military’s Got Talent" contest. Big screens displayed the day’s football games and parades. Meanwhile, volunteers dished out more than 250 pounds of turkey, 150 pounds of ham, 125 pounds of potatoes and 100 pounds each of green beans, corn and dressing along with gravy, rolls and a full dessert buffet. Door prizes and cards of thanks also were offered.

Valero is one of the largest retail operators with approximately 5,800 retail and branded wholesale outlets in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean under the Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar and Beacon brands.

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