OAK BROOK, Ill. -- Although the convenience/gasoline retailing industry has come a long way from the days of the "service station," in one way, the industry's retailers still function as "service" stations. They keep a steady stream of philanthropic endeavors and support flowing into the communities they serve.
Some recent examples include:
Aloha Petroleum
Aloha Petroleum Ltd. is continuing its support for local nonprofits by donating $3,551.30 to Aloha Harvest to support the organization's efforts to provide food for those in need.
"Aloha Harvest is a small team that truly makes a big difference by feeding thousands of Hawaii's hungry each year," said Tom Grimes, chief financial officer of Aloha Petroleum. "We're proud to support their mission and truly grateful to our customers who have helped make this donation possible."
Aloha Harvest is a nonprofit organization that gathers quality, donated food and delivers it "free of charge" to social service agencies feeding the hungry in Hawaii. It has been serving the community for 11 years. Since its inception, the organization has collected and distributed more than seven million pounds of food.
During June and July, Aloha Petroleum collected the funds for Aloha Harvest by setting up donation canisters at its Aloha Island Mart c-stores on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. It also set up canisters at select Shell locations.
Aloha Petroleum, Honolulu, markets through more than 100 Shell- and Aloha-branded fueling stations.
See Slide Show below.
Pictured (left to right): Tom Grimes, CFO, Aloha Petroleum, and vice president of the board of Aloha Harvest; Ku'ulei Williams, executive director, Aloha Harvest; and Gary Altman, Aloha Petroleum, GM of company-operated stores.
BP
BP America Inc. is donating $1 million to support disaster relief efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricane Isaac. The donation will be made to the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army and divided equally between the two hardest-hit states.
"This assistance cannot fix all that has been broken by this natural disaster, but we hope it can help some of those in need today and contribute to a sustained recovery effort in the months ahead," said Crystal E. Ashby, Executive vice president of government and public affairs for BP America, Houston.
Separate from this donation, BP is also providing assistance to our employees and their families in the region.
Cenex Zip Trip
For the third year, Cenex Zip Trip stores have participated in the Salvation Army's Backpacks for Kids Campaign in several states. "We helped raise $26,216 in Spokane, Wash., and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and over $5,000 in Billings, Mont.," said Ian Johnstone, Cenex Zip Trip general manager for CHS. "Every year the donations keep getting bigger and bigger, and we're proud to play a role in building excitement for this program. Our stores are fortunate to be part of great communities that really get behind this effort."
"We believe in building local grassroots efforts and being active in our communities. That's part of the Cenex brand philosophy," says Johnstone.
St. Paul, Minn.-based CHS Inc. operateds the Cenex retail fuel brand.
Pictured (left to right): Smith and Cenex Zip Trip store manager Robert Woodward, store supervisor Joan Deerheim, store manager Sarah Rodriquez, store supervisor Dave Barrett, store manager Vicki Summers, merchandising manager Jon Fleck, store manager Terresa Harter, store manager Curtis Callihan and Cenex Zip Trip general manager for CHS Ian Johnstone.
Iowa 80 Truckstop
Iowa 80 Truckstop has awarded Walcott School a $6,500 grant to apply toward the installation of SMART Boards in classrooms. The grant was available as part of BP's Fueling Communities Program. As a BP Fuel Retailer, Iowa 80 Truckstop was allowed to select a qualified school or charitable organization to receive funding. This is the second grant that Iowa 80 Truckstop has secured for the school.
"Supporting our area schools as they strive to provide students with a quality education is very important to us. This grant program is a great opportunity for Iowa 80 Truckstop to continue to provide funds to the Walcott School's SMART Board initiative," said Delia Meier, Iowa 80 Group senior vice president.
The Iowa 80 TA Truckstop, Walcott, Iowa, is part of the Iowa 80 Group.
Pictured (left to right): Jenni Weipert, Walcott School principal; Mike Hutchison, Iowa 80 Truckstop GM; Dr. Erica Goldstone, Davenport School District.
Kwik Shop
Heartland Family Service of Omaha said employees of 24 Kwik Shops held a Make a Difference with a Dollar competitive fundraising campaign during August. The goal was to raise $20,000. Employees invited customers to donate $1 with their purchase, and to participate in their fundraising eventsincluding a carnival with dunk tank and car washes.
"Kwik Shop is excited to support Heartland Family Service for a third consecutive year by asking for donations in our stores during the month of August," said Scott Morgaridge, regional operations manager for Hutchinson, Kansas-based Kwik Shop Inc., a division of The Kroger Co., Cincinnati.
Because Kwik Shop's business is related to auto ownership, the fundraiser contributes to the Heartland Family Service "Ways to Work" program, which offers low-interest auto loans to working families with children. In Fremont, the fundraiser supports the agency's Jefferson House Children's Emergency Shelter.
Par Mar
Par Mar Stores Inc., a Charleston, W.Va.-based c-store chain with locations throughout West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky, said it would donate $1 to the West Virginia Oil Marketers & Grocers Association's (OMEGA) Make-A-Wish Foundation campaign for every "like" they receive on their Facebook page.
Sandra Morgenstern, president of the Par Mar S, said, "Currently, more than 90 West Virginia children living with life-threatening medical conditions have wish requests submitted to the West Virginia chapters of Make-A-Wish. We want to help in any way we can and have pledged to donate $1 to the campaign for every 'like' the Par Mar Store Facebook page receives."
Clerks in Par Mar Stores across the state will also promote the campaign. "We hope to receive thousands of "like's" between now and the end of the
campaign, September 1," Morgenstern said.
Jan Vineyard, president of OMEGA, said, "This effort not only gives back to
the communities where our members live and work, but it demonstrates the
philanthropic nature of our industry. This is a win for all involved: the children, our members and the public."
Pester Marketing
Rich Spresser, president and CEO of Pester Marketing Co., and Aaron Hackerott, vice president sales and supply of Pester wholesale subsidiary Alta Fuels, were presented August 20 with the Patriot Award by the Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR) in recognition of their outstanding support of Amberly Martin, pricing and customer service representative for Alta Fuels.
Amberly Martin, who serves as Airman First Class in the 140th Maintenance Squadron, U.S. Air Force National Guard, nominated Spresser and Hackerott.
The ESGR Patriot Award is awarded exclusively to employers nominated by an employee who is an active member of the Guard or Reserve.
After joining Alta Fuels, Martin was almost immediately deployed by the Guard for one month of training. Martin reported to the Guard one week per month for her work during an operations readiness inspection.
Spresser and Hackerott noted Martin's value to the company, her strong work ethic and her ability to fit in.
"Amberly has been a real blessing to our organization," said Hackerott.
"When we first interviewed Amberly, it was obvious that she could do the job and fit in well here," Spresser said.
Greenwood Village, Colo.-based Pester, dba 1st Stop Convenience Stores/Alta Convenience, has 51 c-stores located in Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska.
Pictured (left to right): Aaron Hackerott, Amberly Martin, Rich Spresser.
Phillips 66
Phillips 66 Co. will contribute $500,000 to the American Red Cross to assist relief operations following Hurricane Isaac and flooding in the Gulf Coast region. In addition, the company will match employee contributions for disaster relief.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by Hurricane Isaac, including our many employees, friends and neighbors across the Gulf Coast," said Greg Garland, chairman and CEO of Phillips 66. "We are extremely thankful that all of the employees at our Alliance Refinery in Belle Chasse, La., and their immediate families are safe, though some have experienced significant damage to their homes and property. We also are offering financial assistance to those employees who have experienced significant damage to their homes."
The Phillips 66 gasoline brand is owned by Houston-based Phillips 66 Co. and is sold at more than 2,900 U.S. retail fuel sites.
Phillips 66
Phillips 66 gasoline marketing group is donating $5,000 in gasoline cards to Ed's Posse, a group of motorcycle riders and enthusiasts founded by Ed Hale of Raymore, Mo., who are the leading fundraisers in the nation for the March of Dimes' Bikers for Babies events. The cards will fuel Hale and his posse's 100-mile ride during the 2012 Kansas City Bikers for Babies charity event on September 16 at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan.
Phillips 66 made the donation in conjunction with the unveiling of a Kansas City, Mo., billboard that features local resident Art Kriebel and his family. Kriebel won the billboard as part of Phillips 66's Gas for Life promotion and chose to use it to highlight the success Ed's Posse has achieved in raising money for the March of Dimes.
"At Phillips 66, we're passionate about two things--the performance gasoline we provide and the people in the hometowns where we sell it," said Tami Walker, manager, of U.S. fuels brand management. "It gives us great pleasure to support both Art Kriebel and Ed Hale, a true hometown hero, and offer his posse the best in TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline to fuel such an important ride."
Quick Chek
Quick Chek, a chain of more than 125 fresh food c-stores throughout New Jersey and southern New York, has announced its fundraising with Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), which has resulted in a $71,762 donation, surpassing its initial $50,000 goal.
The fundraiser began Memorial Day weekend. Customers could make $1 donations to IAVA at Quick Chek checkout counters. With a single donation, customers were able to sign a dog tag, which the store displayed to express support.
"We are so proud of this partnership success, and are especially proud of our customers and team members for backing such a worthy cause," said John Schaninger, vice president of marketing for Quick Chek, Whitehouse Station, N.J. "Banding together to give back to these soldiers in such large numbers is incredibly humbling and goes to show just how far $1 can go."
Quick Chek's Donna Kane, district leader of the year, managed this year's fundraising campaign.
Pictured (left to right): Dean Durling, president and CEO of Quick Chek; Taryn Clayton, Quick Chek team member; Donna Kane, Quick Chek district leader; Paul Rieckhoff, executive director and founder at IAVA.
Roadrunner Markets
Roadrunner Markets, with the support of its suppliers and vendors, has raised $75,000 for area charities at the 16th annual Roadrunner Markets Benefit Golf Tournament. The tournament was held August 27 at the Blackthorn Club in Jonesborough, Tenn.
More than 160 players took part in the event. Two-time world long drive champion David Mobley hit tee shots off the 10th tee for each of the foursomes.
The United Way of Washington County will receive $50,000 to be used to help fund 17 local nonprofit service agencies. Without the donation pledge from Roadrunner Markets, the agency would not have met its goal for 2011.
The South Central Ruritan will receive $25,000 and the funds will be used to finish construction of ball fields at the South Central Ruritan Ball Park in Washington County.
"These are charitable pledges we've made and this is our way of raising the money needed to fulfill those commitments," says company President, Ryan Broyles. "We want to thank our customers and sponsors for their support that enables us to be able to give back when we find our communities in need."
Johnson City, Tenn.-based Roadrunner Markets operates 92 c-stores in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
Stripes
The Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation and Stripes Convenience Stores are set to begin the third year of their 4-H fundraising alliance involving Stripes stores in three states, a Texas 4-H official told AgriLife Today.
The fundraising effort, known as "Helping Today's Kids Become Tomorrow's Leaders," will run from September 3–30, said Jana Barrett, Texas 4-H Foundation development relations coordinator at College Station, Texas.
"The Texas 4-H Foundation is excited about the continuation of this program, which raised more than $210,000 for the 4-H programs in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico in its first two years," Barrett said.
She said people may participate by stopping in at one of more than 200 participating Stripes stores and buying a 4-H clover cutout or mobile for $1.
"All the proceeds from the mobiles sold will be donated to the local county 4-H program in the city where the purchase was made," she said.
Participating stores are located in more than 55 counties throughout Texas, as well as a total of eight additional counties in Oklahoma and New Mexico.
The 4-H program is part of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
Susser Holdings, Corpus Christi, Texas, operates approximately 545 c-stores in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma under the Stripes banner.
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