WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Like many companies in the convenience store and gasoline retailing industry, the Wilmington, N.C.-based VPS Convenience Store Group has been working overtime on the community service front.
All 425 locations under the VPS Convenience Store umbrella launched fundraising campaigns in late June and July to support research and treatment at select pediatric cancer hospitals through a partnership with the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation.
For the past 10 years, Village Pantry Stores and the JG Foundation have worked together to make a difference in the lives of pediatric cancer patients at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. Village Pantry and its vendor partners have raised more than $2 million to date for childhood cancer research and treatment.
This year, the campaign extended to all VPS sites including Village Pantry Stores, Scotchman Stores, Li'l Cricket Stores, Young's Food Stores, Everyday Shops and Next Door Stores with locations throughout eight states--Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Each store will raise money to support a ranked children's cancer hospital in its state.
"Village Pantry has been instrumental in helping the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation make a difference in the lives of children with cancer. Their support and outreach are bringing us that much closer to finding a cure. We are very thankful for their dedication and we look forward to a continued partnership with them," said Jeff Gordon.
Several of the VPS chains also raised funds through other programs:
Scotchman
VPS's Scotchman Convenience Stores held its 29th Annual Summer Swing Golf Tournament & Auction to benefit the Boy Scouts of America, Cape Fear Council and raised more than $1.1 million for the cause.
More than 190 participants enjoyed this year's reception and auction at Wrightsville Beach on June 12 and the golf tournament at Cape Fear National Course in Leland the following morning.
To date, VPS has contributed over $1.2 million to the Cape Fear Council Scouting program, which covers an eight-county area of southeastern North Carolina. All money raised from the annual event goes directly to the Boy Scouts to provide financial assistance for any Scout who needs help to participate in activities or attend summer camp. It also supports the Council's "Scoutreach" program to inner-city and rural areas of southeastern North Carolina.
"Hosting this event for 29 years clearly demonstrates the strong commitment VPS has to the values of character, integrity, leadership and patriotism that are taught by our Scouting program," said Doug Clevinger, scout executive of the Cape Fear Council. "We are honored to partner with VPS and look forward to continuing this proud tradition for many years to come."
Young's
VPS's Young's Food Stores has presented a $12,500 grant in June to the Tuomey Foundation through the BP Fueling Communities Program for the second year in a row. Young's, in partnership with BP, has given a total of $25,000 to support community health initiatives in the Sumter and Shaw communities in South Carolina.
As a BP fuel provider, Young's is able to nominate an organization that focuses on health, education, youth, food or housing for a grant. It chose Tuomey Foundation, established in 1995, because it serves to enhance patient care within the Tuomey Healthcare System, extend the hospital's reach into the community and help those regardless of their ability to pay.
Fueling Communities provides grants to local organizations that are nominated by BP branded fuel marketers to support the communities in which they do business.
There are seven Young's fueling locations that are branded BP in Sumter.
[Pictured (left to right): Rob Bader, BP sales manager; Don Muscatell, vice president of Southeast operations for VPS; Jeff Faw, executive director of Tuomey Foundation; Jack Swaim, VPS regional director.]
Everyday Shops
VPS's Everyday Shops throughout Central Virginia presented a $12,500 grant in June to the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation as part of the BP Fueling Communities Program. Everyday Shops and BP partnered to demonstrate their shared commitment to the health of those living in Central Virginia.
"We are so pleased to be able to work with our fuel partner BP to provide this grant money to make a real difference in our local communities," said Jeff Turpin, chairman and CEO of VPS. "In today's difficult economy, it is more important than ever for us to do what we can to help the people who live in the neighborhoods we serve."
The retailer chose the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation, established in 2002, as the recipient of this grant because it serves the community by enhancing, maintaining and restoring personal health and well-being for all, regardless of ability to pay.
There are 14 Everyday Shops fueling locations that are branded BP in Central Virginia.
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