Community Service Roundup, October 2019

CHICAGO — This community-service roundup features the charitable efforts of six convenience-store retailers and two industry suppliers.

Click through to read more about these initiatives …

Brentwood, Tenn.-based MAPCO donated more than $400,000 to children’s charities as part of its third Giveback Tournament. The two-day event raised funds to benefit local youth, health, advocacy and education nonprofits and other charitable organizations within the company’s footprint. Volunteers participated in a variety of activities during the event, from a round of golf at the Vanderbilt Legends Club to a shooting competition at Royal Range USA.  

MAPCO will continue to raise funds through its My Reward$ program, which allows customers to convert rewards points into donations.

Cincinnati-based EG America donated $1 million to Disabled American Veterans. More than $800,000 was raised during a campaign in which EG America encouraged customers to donate, and co-CEOs Zuber Issa and Mohsin Issa rounded up the donation to $1 million.

Disabled American Veterans helps ill and injured military veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned.

In October, Wawa presented the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s 2019 Carousel Ball, which raised $3.5 million to benefit the hospital’s Cardiac Center.

Nearly 900 people attended the event to support one of the world’s largest and most accomplished pediatric heart centers, which offers care for children around the world with congenital heart conditions, according to the hospital.

The Wawa, Pa.-based chain also gave $75,000 in grants in honor of the grand opening of its 200th Florida store. The grants comprised $25,000 to Children’s Miracle Network Hospital affiliates in Wawa’s market areas in Florida, $25,000 to USO Chapters in Florida and $25,000 to Feeding Florida food banks.

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Oklahoma City, and its customers raised more than $3.75 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals during a five-week campaign. In its 20th year of the initiative, Love’s set a record for the most money raised during a campaign.

Customers were asked to purchase Miracle Balloons, round up to the nearest dollar at registers or pumps and to participate in events to donate money to the hospital network. On National Coffee Day, hot beverages at Love’s stores were discounted to $1, with proceeds from sales going to hospitals.

Sheetz raised money throughout October for Special Olympics, a nonprofit focused on creating an inclusive community. 

Customers at all of Sheetz’ 596 stores could donate through donation boxes near the register and by adding a donation to their purchase at the point-of-sale. The store that raised the most money for Special Olympics in October will receive a special celebration from Sheetz, Altoona, Pa.

Sheetz will also continue to donate $2,500 to the Special Olympics chapter of the state every new Sheetz store opens in.  

Casey’s General Stores and customers in 16 states raised a record $2.4 million in September to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association. During the “Round Up the Register” campaign, Casey’s team members asked guests to round up their purchase to the nearest whole dollar to support families affected by muscular dystrophy, ALS and other neuromuscular diseases.  

The Ankeny, Iowa-based chain has raised more than $13 million since 2006 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Greensboro, N.C.-based Gilbarco Veeder-Root employees recently dedicated a full workday to give back to local communities. Employees worked with more than 15 projects to feed the hungry, provide supplies for churches and nursing homes, fight homelessness and more. Throughout the day, employees of the company—which is a technology leader for retail and commercial fueling operations—contributed more than 100 volunteer hours.

Tyson Foods and NACS donated 4,774 cases (38,526 pounds) of Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farm products to the Atlanta Community Food Bank in October. Programs supported through the food bank serve more than 85,000 people each week in the Atlanta-area community.

Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Foods and NACS have partnered for the past five years to support the community that holds the annual NACS Show. This year’s show was held Oct. 1-4 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Have a community-service announcement of your own to share? Send related news to Hannah Prokop at hprokop@winsightmedia.com.