Community Service Roundup, February 2022
By Rachel Gignac on Mar. 11, 2022CHICAGO — February’s charity roundup features eight convenience stores that devoted time and effort into collecting donations and supporting organizations.
Take a look at the contributions made by EG Group, Alta Convenience and more ...
EG Group
EG Group, Westborough, Mass., collected donations of $1, $5 or any amount to go to the American Cancer Society during a time when the pandemic presented a severe impact on early detection and treatment of cancers.
“It is an honor to partner with the American Cancer Society for another campaign to raise funds and awareness for their life-changing programs and research,” said George Fournier, president of EG America. “Cancer affects us all in some way and we are committed to continuing the fight and supporting those who truly need it.”
The American Cancer Society will use the funds to continue cancer research, implement safety measures for cancer patients and build strategies to get more people to return to screening.
“Our continued partnership with EG America has generated more than $350,000 in donations for critical programs and services,” said Wayne White, executive vice president of the American Cancer Society. “This outcome is a direct reflection of EG America's steadfast commitment to fighting cancer together.”
Casey’s General Stores Inc.
With partner Monster Energy, Casey’s General Stores Inc., Ankeny, Iowa, held a roundup at the register campaign to support Feeding America’s fight against food insecurity. Casey’s has a goal of donating 17 million meals to children and families in 2022.
The retailer held the campaign in honor of the #HereForGood mission, and each dollar donation equated to 10 meals distributed.
“The fight against hunger grows more important as the pandemic continues to impact communities across the country,” said Lauren Biedron, vice president of corporate partnerships at Feeding America. “We are proud to work with partners, like Casey’s, that are truly committed to helping our neighbors who live with food insecurity.”
Pilot Co.
Pilot Co., Knoxville, Tenn., partnered with the American Heart Association for the sixth year in a row to support heart health this February. The American Heart Month Campaign encouraged customers to contribute by purchasing paper heart icons, rounding up or donating at the register, buying e-gift cards and donating online. Proceeds went to the American Heart Association and Heart & Stroke.
Energy North Group
Energy North Group, Lawrence, Mass., and Haffner’s, an ENG company, collected and donated 350 toys to the United States Marine Corps Reserve through its Toys for Tots drive.
Donations were collected from customers and employees for two weeks and were delivered to the Marine Corps recruiting center in Scarborough, Maine. Most of the toys were brought to the Brunswick Naval Air Station, where they were made directly available to families in need. The remaining toys were transported to various locations across Massachusetts and New Hampshire by the Marine Corps Reservists for families throughout the region.
“Toys for Tots is an organization that has been a focus for Energy North Group during the holidays,” said Pat O’Connell, executive vice president of ENG. “Toys for Tots helps children all over the world, not just in our neighborhoods. We do what we can to make the holiday season a happy one for as many children as possible. We are beyond appreciative of all our customers and corporate family members that donate each year.”
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc., Oklahoma City, held its Share the Love event and donated $100,000 to 10 nonprofits across the United States on behalf of its more than 35,000 employees.
“We’re excited to be back in person this year, safely volunteering at some of our favorite organizations across Oklahoma City,” said Jenny Love Meyer, chief culture officer and executive vice president of Love’s. “It’s one of our favorite events each year, and getting to add the store team member component is a great way to make sure all our employees can participate and give back the communities we live and work in.”
Love’s corporate employees have spent Valentine’s Day volunteering for local nonprofits since 2013. This year’s votes were cast in each of the 10 divisions, and the winners each received $10,000.
Below are the winners of this year’s donations:
- Big Five Community Services in Durant, Okla.
- Mississippi Children’s Museum in Jackson, Miss.
- The Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida in Jacksonville, Fla.
- Ronald McDonald House of Charities Central Indiana in Indianapolis
- Circle the City in Phoenix
- Harmony Home Children’s Advocacy Center in Odessa, Texas
- Feed More in Richmond, Va.
- Watson Children’s Shelter in Missoula, Mont.
- The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee in Nashville
- Junior Achievement of Arkansas in Little Rock, Ark.
Alta Convenience
Alta Convenience, Denver, raised $200,000 in November and December for its 2021 Make A Wish Star Campaign. Alta, part of CF Altitude LLC, has raised $934,872 for Make A Wish since 2013.
CF Altitude plans to acquire more stores before the 2022 Star Campaign. It also plans to hit $1 million in donations at the end of this year.
Stewart’s Shops
Stewart's Shops, Ballston Spa, N.Y., participated in the Capital Region Blood Battle, hosted by the American Red Cross. The competition between six local businesses—Stewart’s Shops, Capital District Physicians' Health Plan, Inc., MVP Healthcare, Living Resources, Albany Medical Hospital and Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Center—encouraged blood donations and raised awareness.
The winner of the Blood Battles will be announced in March.
Stewart’s also brought awareness to suicide prevention and services by teaming up with Saratoga County Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Stewart’s Shops in Saratoga County distributed coffee sleeves with the message, “You Matter to Me” and phone numbers for the Saratoga County Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
QuikTrip Corp.
QuikTrip, Tulsa, Okla., welcomed NFL player Tyler Lockett back to his hometown after he designed and wore QuikTrip-inspired cleats for a game in October. Lockett created 17 pairs of custom cleats to highlight parts of his hometown throughout the 2021-2022 NFL season. The cleats were auctioned to support his Light It Up Foundation, which led to a partnership with QuikTrip. The foundation provides scholarships to high school students in Tulsa.
Lockett was invited to the QuikTrip headquarters in Tulsa, Okla., to visit and present the cleats. He expressed his appreciation for QuikTrip growing up and said that it was an almost daily stop for snacks and drinks.
“It was an amazing experience attending the QuikTrip Headquarters and meeting all the amazing people that make it happen!” said Lockett.