LOUISIANA WILDLIFE AGENTS

Financial assistance for special needs: financial assistance is given to various individuals for needs due to critical illness, death, or other catastrophe.

Children's t-shirt program: wildlife agents handed out approximately 2,500 free t-shirts to children wearing life jackets that were encountered during random boat safety inspections on the water. The t-shirts are inscribed with the slogan "i got caught wearing my life jacket." the goals of the program include encouraging parents and children to practice safe boating habits and to showcase the agents' duties in a positive manner to the public. Contributions to charitable organizations: charitable contributions were given to ten charitable organizations. The most significant benefactor of the contributions was the gulf coast brotherhood foundation to whom 2,630 was donated. Retirement gifts: due to the members' employer being unable to provide such a token, watches are given to members who retire upon reaching years of service or age of retirement with the louisiana department of wildlife and fisheries enforcement division. Jim matkin scholarship award: annual scholarships are awarded to children of members in good standing upon completing high school and showing proof of enrollment in college, junior college, or trade school. Applicants must complete the lwaa jim matkin scholarship award form. First prize is 1,500 and second prize is 1,000. The winners are chosen by vote of the board based on the award forms submitted. All applicants not chosen for the first and second prizes are awarded a lesser monetary award in the form of a one-time grant. In addition to the winners, six 500 scholarships were awarded. Funeral benefits: flower arrangements may be sent to funerals of members' family. Other non-profit organizations organize hunting trips for wounded u.s. Military veterans, and the louisiana wildlife agents association helps to defray the participants' cost of such trips by providing hunting licenses, drinks, and other supplies. Retirement parties: due to the members' employer being unable to provide such events, up to 300 per party is provided for a celebration to show appreciation to members who retire from the louisiana department of wildlife and fisheries enforcement division.