On Friday, May 29, more than 1,200 soldiers and their families sat down to a proper send-off meal before a 10-month deployment overseas.

Donations to Split the Ticket went directly to work — funding gas and grocery gift cards for Guard families and the food that fed more than 1,200 service members and their loved ones at Camp Ethan Allen.

More than a dozen volunteers showed up to cook, haul, and make it happen. Together, we lightened the load for families already facing the strain of deployment — reduced paychecks, solo parenting, and months of uncertainty ahead.  Check out more photos here.

Katie Green with Summit Distributing hands over a check for $2,000 to Jessy Smith— the State Soldier & Family Readiness Group Leader

VANG Solders Prepare for Deployment

Manny Fletcher, President of the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, hands over dozens of gift cards for gas and groceries for Vermont Army National Guard families.

More than a dozen volunteers purchased, cooked and distributed food for more than 1000 soldiers and their families after the send off cermeony at Camp Ethan Allen in Jericho.