The family of a member of the local National Guard unit has been included in a WSB-TV “Most Deserving Military Family” contest.

Katie Cobb, the head of the military ministry at Carver Road Baptist Church, said she found the contest online. She said the family of Jesse Gooch of McDonough, who is a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 121st Infantry Regiment of the Georgia National Guard, is particularly deserving.

Melena Gooch, Jesse Gooch’s wife, not only has to raise five children — one of whom is legally blind — while her husband is deployed but she also volunteered to head the family readiness group.

As head of the group, Melena Gooch communicates with all the families about how their soldiers are doing. She helps the soldiers’ families deal with any problems they might have and serves as a media contact.

When three soldiers associated with the unit were killed in action on June 4, it was Gooch who took food to the widow and children of Sgt. John Beale — the other soldiers were from North Georgia — and made sure family members had all the information they needed.

“What better family?” Cobb said. “They all deserve it but (the Gooches) really go above and beyond.”

The winner of the contest will receive a trip to Florida arranged by www.visitflorida.com.

The Web site where people can vote is http://www.wsbtv.com/sponsors/19713096/detail.html.