OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. -- The Polynesian Voyaging Society, Wounded Warrior Project, The Gifford School and the residents of Flint, Mich., were among the beneficiaries of recent fundraising campaigns held by convenience-store retailers and an industry association.
Here are some recent examples, as well as other ways retailers are showing community support:
- Aloha Petroleum: The Honolulu-based company donated $10,000 to the Polynesian Voyaging Society, a nonprofit that seeks to revive traditional exploration through educating students and communities. The funds were raised through a canister collection program at participating Aloha Island Mart stores in November and December 2015 and then matched by Aloha Petroleum.
- Casey’s General Stores: Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey’s is holding a “dog tag” promotion to raise funds and awareness for service members and military families through Hope For the Warriors. Throughout April, customers of more than 1,800 Casey’s locations can purchase a dog tag for $1 to support the cause. Last year’s promotion raised more than $800,000.
- GPM Investments: The convenience-store retailer, based in Richmond, Va., donated nearly $130,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project, continuing its ongoing support for the organization.
- NOCO: The Tonawanda, N.Y.-based company’s NOCO Express convenience stores donated $14,296 to Buffalo City Mission. In February, customers of 31 western New York stores purchased paper snowflakes, raising $7,148. NOCO then matched the contribution. The stores also served as collection points where people could donate winter coats, clothing, gloves and socks.
- Parker’s: The Savannah, Ga.-based chain donated $15,000 to Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools through the company’s Fueling the Community Program. Parker’s donates a portion of the proceeds from every gallon of gas purchased at all 43 of its convenience stores on the first Wednesday of each month to community schools. It donates more than $100,000 each year to public and private schools throughout Georgia and South Carolina.
- RaceTrac: The Atlanta-based chain is encouraging participants of its annual Run for Research 5K and 1K Fun Run to “Race for Fox in Your Craziest Socks.” Races will be April 9 in Arlington, Texas, and April 16 in Atlanta. Proceeds will benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Last year, RaceTrac raised more than $477,000 for the foundation through the race and other in-store fundraising efforts.
- VERC Enterprises: VERC, Duxbury, Mass., awarded The Gifford School in Weston, Mass., with a check for $500. The grant was made possible through the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Program.
- AFPD: The Michigan and Ohio Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers (AFPD), the “voice for the food, beverage and petroleum industries,” helped raise money to deliver bottled water to the residents of Flint, Mich. The city is still dealing with lead contamination in its drinking water. Detroit City Council president Brenda Jones, councilman Andre L. Spivey, D&B Distributors, Faygo, Absopure and AFPD led the initiative.
Please send your community service announcements to Kristina Peters at kpeters@winsightmedia.com.
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