Volunteers who helped in the preparation and distribution of the baskets, from left, Elaine Creppel, Tony Frickey, Kelsy Prestenburg and Isabelle Couvillion.

The Venice Port Complex (VPC) organized its fourth annual Thanksgiving gift basket drive to support members of their community Nov. 19 and 20.
The drive provided 200 families in South Plaquemines a Thanksgiving basket that included a turkey and traditional holiday fare. The VPC, VPC tenants, local businesses and residents gave contributions and assisted in the packaging and delivery of the baskets to area residents. Recipient names were provided from several churches, schools and charitable institutions that represent the area.
“It’s during this time of year that we reflect on what we are truly thankful for, such as the community in which we live and work,” said George Pivach, II, VPC vice president and general counsel. “We wanted to share the holiday spirit with those deserving residents by ensuring they enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast with their families.”
The following businesses provided contributions to this event:
Platinum Level $2,000 and above: The Louisiana Fruit Company/ Venice Port Complex and Premier Industries, Inc. Gold Level $1,000 to $1,999: Denet Towing, Inc.; Fremin’s Food Liner and Madere & Sons Towing Inc. Silver Level $500 to $999: B.P. America Production Company; Balestra’s Food Liner; Cypress Cove Marina, Inc.; Fill A Sack; Pivach, Pivach, Hufft, Thriffiley & Nolan LLC; Rene Cross Construction; U.S. Environmental Services LLC and U.S. Liquids of LA. Bronze Level $100 to $499: Callais Marine Service; Couvillion Group LLC; D&C Seafood; Offshore Cleaning Systems LLC; Settoon Construction Inc.; Ellzey Marine & Hardware; Ben Becnel’s; Baker Hughes Inteq; Daybrook Fisheries Inc.; L&L Oil & Gas; Newman Crane Service Inc. and Venice Steel and Pipe, Inc. Contributor/Friend $0 to $99: Whitetail Oilfield Services, LLC.
The following companies and parish residents provided help and assistance: Kathleen Avist, Linda Banta and staff, Andrew Barrois, Boothville-Venice Elementary School, Boothville-Venice Volunteer Fire Dept., Pastor Dave Carlton, Joe Clark, Marla Cooper and staff, Isabelle Couvillion, Timmy Couvillion, Elaine Creppel, Troy Creppel, Jerrold Denet, Jeff Edgecombe, Michelle Frickey, Tony Frickey, Ricky Harvey, Todd Harvey, Byron Marinovich, Leonard Mistich, Pastor Steve McNeal, George Pivach, II, Kelsy Prestenburg, Billy Stewart, Pastor Lynn Rodrigue, Solid Rock Academy, South Plaquemines High School, South Plaquemines Elementary School, Carolyn Sylve, Mary Thompkins, Gerald Thompkins, Burghart Turner and staff, Pastor Ted Turner and Venice Steel and Pipe Inc.
“This is something we at the VPC look forward to doing each year. I would like to thank community members and VPC tenants who participated in making this year’s event successful,” said Tony Frickey, VPC site supervisor.
For over 60 years, Venice has played a critical role in developing and servicing some of the most prolific Oil and Gas properties in the Gulf of Mexico and has long established itself as a major hub for the energy industry. The Venice Port Complex is an extensive multi-purpose facility, which includes heavy industrial tenants, major production and service companies, as well as other commercial and recreational fishing facilities.