How C-Stores Are Honoring the Military This Veterans Day
By Kristina Hurtig on Nov. 08, 2017CHICAGO -- Veterans Day is Saturday, Nov. 11, and convenience-store chains across the country are showing their support for the United States military and its veterans.
Whether it’s holding fundraising events or offering free meals and beverages, here’s how these retailers are thanking active-duty military and veterans for their service …
7-Eleven
Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven and Southern Methodist University in Dallas honored veterans and current military personnel during an on-field presentation Nov. 4 at the university’s homecoming football game.
“We are proud to support the U.S. military men and women alongside a university like SMU,” said Mark Stinde, 7-Eleven vice president of asset protection and SMU alumnus. “We cannot give a thank-you big enough to the men and women that bravely fight for our country, but we hope this shows our extreme gratitude for all that they do and sacrifice.”
In August, 7-Eleven also announced a two-year sponsorship of SMU’s Seats for Soldiers program. Through SMU’s 2017 and 2018 football seasons, past and current military personnel will have the opportunity to attend seven home games in reserved seats donated by SMU fans.
Fans can purchase and donate a seven-game 2017 season ticket for $99.
Brown Bear Car Wash
Brown Bear Car Wash, which owns and operates 50 car-wash facilities in Washington as well as a large network of gas stations and c-stores, is offering free car washes to current or former members of the military on Veterans Day. The free “Beary Clean” washes will be offered at Brown Bear’s 24 tunnel wash locations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. No verification or documentation is required.
Brown Bear will also donate $1 for every car washed on Veterans Day to Puget Sound Honor Flight. For the past three years, it has donated more than $30,000 to support Honor Flight’s mission of transporting western Washington war veterans to visit memorials in Washington, D.C.
Circle K
On Nov. 11, participating Circle K stores will be offering a free Polar Pop to military veterans who show their military ID and present the Veterans Day Deal on the Circle K Mobile App. Circle K is a subsidiary of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., Laval, Quebec.
NOCO
In recognition of Veterans Day, NOCO is participating in the Greenlight a Vet campaign, which encourages people to change one light in a visible location at home or at work to green as a symbol of support and appreciation for veterans. Lights at NOCO’s corporate office in Tonawanda, N.Y., as well as at its fuel terminal and several NOCO Express locations, will go green. NOCO is also providing green light bulbs to its more than 680 employees to change a light to green at their homes.
Green light bulbs are also for sale for $2.99 while supplies last at all 39 NOCO Express c-stores through Veterans Day. The company will donate the proceeds to the local western New York chapter of Team Red, White and Blue, whose mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity.
Stewart’s Shops
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-based Stewart’s Shops, an employee- and family-owned c-store chain, is offering a 50-cent single-scoop cone Nov. 11 in honor of veterans and active-duty military members, the Times Union reported.
TravelCenters of America
The TA Restaurant Group, a division of Westlake, Ohio-based TravelCenters of America, is offering a complimentary meal on Veterans Days for active-duty military, veterans and reservists at participating Country Pride and Iron Skillet restaurants. After providing proof of service, they can select a meal from a limited menu; the meal includes a beverage.
TA Restaurant Group’s Quaker Steak & Lube restaurant will also offer free or discounted meals to veterans and active-duty service members Nov. 11. It will also set up Fallen Soldiers Tables at participating locations to remind civilians and military members of the ultimate sacrifice given by troops who lost their lives in the fight for peace and liberty.
Weigel’s
Powell, Tenn.-based Weigel’s is conducting a two-week fundraising events at its 66 convenience stores for Smoky Mountain Service Dogs’ More Wags for Warriors campaign. Smoky Mountain Service Dogs aims to enhance the physical and psychological quality of life for veterans with service-related disabilities through the training and placement of highly trained service dogs.
The funds raised during the campaign, which concludes on Veterans Day, will go toward building a larger training facility in Lenoir City, Tenn. “It is our goal to be able to have more service dogs available for our local veterans through this program,” said Bill Weigel, chairman of Weigel’s.
Also, on Veterans Day Weigel’s will give away a free medium cup of coffee to all veterans.
Wesco
Yesway
Throughout November, Yesway will donate free Signature Blends Coffee to Iowa-based veterans’ organizations and first-responder units. The West Des Moines, Iowa-based c-store chain recently launched Signature Blends Coffee, which comes in House Blend, Breakfast Blend and Dark Roast varieties.