TEMPLE, Texas -- CEFCO Convenience Stores said at its 10th Annual Hackers-R-Us Charity Golf Tournament on May 10, 2011, that it has donated a grand total of $320,000 to Children's Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals, Central Texas College, McLennan Community College and Meridian Community College.
CEFCO presented Children's Miracle Network Hospitals with a donation of $250,000, which is the single largest donation CEFCO's 12-year association with the organization. The retailer achieved this accomplishment through plus-selling custom CEFCO icons paired with an incentive that [image-nocss] cross-promoted an improved fountain program and new cup design, as well as various grassroots fundraising activities.
"Our campaign gave sales associates an opportunity to talk to customers about improvements in our fountain soft drinks while raising funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals," said Steve Keane, CEFCO senior vice president of marketing.
The day was capped off with donations to C.E. Fikes Endowed Scholarships, which commemorate CEFCO's founder, Clarence Edison Fikes. The scholarships are available to students majoring in accounting, business administration, human resources, business information systems, marketing and management. CEFCO presented $25,000 donations to McLennan Community College and Meridian Community College, and it presented $20,000 to Central Texas College.
"James and Kim Fikes and our entire leadership team are proud to be able to give back to the communities we service," said Raymond Smith, COO of Fikes Wholesale Inc. "The C.E. Fikes Endowed Scholarships allow us to provide financial support to worthy students in our local markets. We extend our gratitude to our vendor partners and volunteers who helped make our annual charity event a tremendous success."
In 1999, CEFCO began its partnership with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals with $700 raised in stores. CEFCO's 2011 fundraising total marks some exciting milestones for the organization. To date, CEFCO has raised $1 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and $245,000 for the various C.E. Fikes Endowed Scholarships.
"CEFCO is proud to be able to support the culture of community involvement and philanthropic efforts fostered by the Fikes family," said Brett Giesick, chief retail officer of CEFCO Convenience Stores. "These tremendous results do not happen without the tireless fundraising efforts of our store associates, and speak to the generosity of our customers, vendor partners, and employees."
As of 2011, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals has have raised more than $4.3 billion for more than 170 hospitals--most of which is donated a dollar or two at a time.
Temple, Texas-based CEFCO Convenience Stores is the 57th largest chain in the convenience retailing industry, operating 122 stores in Alabama, Mississippi and Texas and employing more than 1350 team members chainwide.
[Pictured (left to right): Kellie Tiner, Scott & White Children's Hospital; Raymond Smith, Fikes Wholesale; Jennifer Strelsky, Lesli Cearley, Scott & White Children's Hospital; Kim Fikes, James Fikes, Fikes Wholesale; Brett Giesick, Steve Keane, CEFCO; Dustin Strelsky and Shane Strelsky. Photo by Skeebo Reichert.]
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