Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission

09/02/2026

🇺🇸 Congratulations to our September 2026 Raffle Recipient: Mr. Jay Goudy!

Mr. Goudy is a proud United States Marine Corps veteran, having honorably served from 2008 to 2012. During his service, he completed three combat deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Jay has been married to his wife, Karli, for seven years, and together they reside in Kingsville with their four children. Family is at the center of Jay’s life, and he is deeply involved in his children’s
activities and development. He actively coaches youth sports, including soccer and baseball, where he brings leadership, mentorship, and enthusiasm to the young athletes he works with.

Beyond coaching, Jay is an avid hunter and fisherman, passions he now shares with his children. He takes pride in teaching them a love for the outdoors, instilling respect for nature, responsible stewardship, and the value of time spent together in the field and on the water.

🎁 September 2026 Raffle Prize Package – Awarded to Mr. Goudy
☑️Dairy Queen Gift Certificates — four $5 certificates (1723 E. Prospect Rd., Ashtabula)
☑️ Giant Eagle/GetGo Gift Card — $25, donated by the VFW Post #6846, Auxiliary
☑️ Pizza Hut Gift Card — $25, donated by Legion Post #124 of Geneva
☑️ Walmart Gift Card — $100, donated by an anonymous supporter
☑️ Biscotti's Certificates — two $10 certificates, donated by Biscotti’s of Conneaut
☑️ Speedway Gas Card — $25, donated by Ashtabula Elks Lodge #208
☑️Warrior Walk Paver — valued at $35, provided by our office

09/01/2026

🇺🇸 Our September 2026 Monthly Update is here!

This month’s update highlights the meaningful impact of our advocacy, transportation, financial-assistance, and education programs—including nearly $3.92 million in projected monetary impact for Ashtabula County this year.

We also congratulate our August raffle winner, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jay Goudy Jr., and thank the generous community partners who donated this month’s prizes.

Looking ahead, our team will participate in statewide CVSO training, prepare for October’s Holiday Giveback Program, and join the community for November’s Veterans Appreciation Day and March for Heroes. We’re also continuing to preserve the legacies of Ashtabula County’s veterans through our growing Warrior Walk and digital legacy pages.

Please explore the attached update for important statistics, upcoming events, program details, and ways to honor the veterans in your life. Thank you to our veterans, families, partners, volunteers, and neighbors for helping us remain Stronger Together—Always.

09/01/2026

Good morning, Ashtabula County Veterans! It's September 1st and time for our monthly raffle drawing!

To all of the veterans and family members that continue to place their trust in our team in helping obtain their earned benefits, Thank You!

Congratulations to Marine Corps Veteran, Jay Goudy Jr. of Kingsville!

08/31/2026

We were honored to welcome Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation (WWIA) Founder and CEO, U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) John J. McDaniel, and members of his team to Ashtabula.

During the visit, John presented Ashtabula American Legion Dewey Howlett Post 103 with a collector’s-edition Henry rifle—No. 18 of only 25 produced—featuring the WWIA logo on its stock. This special presentation recognized the Post’s support of the most recent WWIA event at Kister Marina, held July 31 through August 3.

John and his team also accepted an invitation to visit the Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission. Executive Director Benjamin Schwartfigure gave the group a tour of our building and discussed our operations and services in detail. That conversation created a new friendship and a shared commitment to building a strong, collaborative relationship for the future.

The Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission is proud to have provided transportation for participating Warriors in each of the past 15 years as part of Team Erie. We are grateful for the opportunity to support Wounded Warriors In Action and the remarkable veterans it serves.

WWIA provides therapeutic outdoor sporting experiences—at no cost to participants—that promote camaraderie, connection, healing, and wellness among our nation’s combat-wounded Purple Heart recipients. The organization reports that 90% of donations go directly to its field programs.

If you are a Purple Heart recipient—or know someone who is—we encourage you to learn more about WWIA, explore its programs, and consider applying. We also invite our community to support this worthy mission. Those who know a Purple Heart recipient understand that the visible and invisible scars of service can carry a tremendous weight.

Learn more, apply, or donate at: https://wwiaf.org/

We deeply appreciated the WWIA team’s visit to Ashtabula and look forward to supporting many more events together.

Honor. Connect. Heal.

08/29/2026

08/28/2026

At the request of Heralds Friends and Alumni of Saint John High School, we are sharing the following 9/11 Recognition Event to our veteran community. Please attend and support if you are able.

08/21/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday to the “Mom” of the Veterans Service Commission, Carol Hoyt! 🎂❤️

Carol, your kindness and compassion make our office feel like home to the veterans community. Whether you’re looking after our team or welcoming the veterans and families we serve, you bring warmth and heart to everything you do.

From the entire Board and staff, we hope your birthday is as spectacular as you are! Thank you for taking such good care of all of us. 🇺🇸

Happy Birthday, Carol! 🎈🥳