Volunteer Ascension director to retire

Audrey Boudreaux has been a volunteer since she was a child.

She said she could remember doing volunteer work back when she was 12 years old.

“I’ve been doing things like this for a long time,” said the executive director of Volunteer Ascension.

After seven years in the position, Boudreaux announced her decision to retire from the organization.

“It has been a very hard decision to leave,” she said. “This organization has become so much of a part of me.”

Volunteer Ascension is an organization dedicated to positively impacting the needs of Ascension Parish by promoting and developing volunteerism.

The organization dates back to 1997. That year, an estimated 450 were impacted. By 2009, some 13,000 were.

During the organization’s annual recognition luncheon Wednesday at The Carriage House in Gonzales, Boudreaux introduced the “exective director in waiting,” Sherry Denig.

Boudreaux said she wishes Denig much success as she continues the Volunteer Ascension mission.

Denig said she has been delighted to take the job as executive director.

With a real estate background, Denig said she has been involved with volunteer efforts in the past.

“I realized volunteer work was something that I enjoyed,” she said.

Denig will take over for Boudreaux on May 5. In the meantime, Boudreaux has been showing her “the ropes” of the job, Denig said.

Boudreaux credited the Board of Directors that she has worked with over the years for their hours of work and expertise.

“They are a very hard-working board,” Boudreaux said.

Volunteer Ascension adminsters several programs throughout the parish, including Community Services, ConnecTeens, Make A Difference Day, School Tools and School Uniforms.

Volunteer Ascensioin is the only program-driving volunteer center in Louisiana, Boudreaux said.

The annual fall fundraiser, a wine “Evening of Luxury,” was a success in raising money for the organization, especially considering one of the live auction items was two 50-yard line suite tickets to the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots game.

Boudreaux said without donations and in-kind contributions, Volunteer Ascension would not be able to provide as much as it does.