Surprise donation: Mendoza donates truck to Maurice Police Department

The town of Maurice got a pleasant surprise late last month.
The third annual Mendoza fundraiser was held at Don Mendoza Ford in Maurice. The fundraiser was to raise money for volunteer fire departments in Vermilion Parish and for the Maurice Police Department.
The all-day event featured music, a top-of-the-line fireworks display, and a jambalaya cook-off.
The Lance Broussard Cooking Team won the crowd favorite, as well as, overall first place in the cook-off.
The lead chef was Jacques Campbell of Kaplan.
The Guy Nerren Cooking Team took home second, with Rickey Romero as the lead chef.
After the cook-off winners were announced, Don Mendoza, the owner of Mendoza Ford, made a surprise announcement.
Mendoza surprised Nerren by announcing that Mendoza Ford was donating a 2020 Ford 150 truck to the town of Maurice’s Police Department.
Nerren was unaware the department was getting a truck.
“I had no clue,” said Nerren after he sat in the truck. “We met a couple of months ago, and Don asked me to list what the police department needed. I told him I had no clue what to put on the list. I told him I needed a cargo trailer to haul things around. He told me to submit that idea.
“I thought I was getting a cargo trailer. But this truck is outstanding. This is amazing.”
Look for Nerren to receive the new truck, and another officer will inherit the 2017 SUV that Nerren drove.
Don Mendoza, who lives in Lafayette Parish, near his business, explained why he enjoys helping Vermilion Parish.
“I do it to give back to the community,” said Mendoza.
“Hopefully, it would inspire other businesses to follow suit. This gives our first responders support. We want to support the community.”
This was the third annual, and Mendoza said it looked like the largest turnout.
“Everyone is so nice. The competition is awesome,” he added. “This is a great experience.”