The Astros CAREavan helps out troops, fans and more

The Astros CAREavan took place this week and second baseman Jose Altuve, first baseman Brett Wallace, pitcher J.R. Richard, announcer Bill Brown and assistant GM David Stearns appeared at several community events Thursday in San Antonio.

The team first visited the Warrior and Family Support Center at Brooks Army Medical Center, where they received a tour and talked to military personnel and their families. 

“It was fantastic,” said Shari Jenson, the Director of USO San Antonio. "Troops always love it when people reach out and show an interest in what they're doing."

USO volunteers helped the Astros serve more than 200 lunches to the military members.

Later in the day, the Astros also helped 30 children from the Boys and Girls Club of San Antonio shop for new sports equipment and signed autographs for fans.

“Some of them wanted to know what size glove to get, and things like that," Wallace said. "You see all the kids come through with their parents, and you have the guys who watched J.R. pitch, so the dads and the moms are so excited to see J.R. But there were also entire families that have stayed with the Astros for so long and that's really exciting."

-- Rachel Frey / MLB.com Real-Time Correspondent ​