Community Service Roundup July 2019: Initiatives by 9 Retailers
By Kristina Hurtig on Jul. 17, 2019CHICAGO — This community-service roundup features the charitable efforts of nine convenience-store retailers and one supplier.
Many of the retailers showed support to the U.S. military and local schools, as well as to organizations such as Make-A-Wish.
Click through to read about these initiatives ...
7-Eleven
7-Eleven is partnering with the U.S. Army by joining the Partnership for Youth Success program, according to Veterans News Report. The program is designed to help soldiers prepare for a career after the Army by connecting them with employers who understand the skills, discipline and work ethic that military service members bring to a business.
The Irving, Texas-based retailer recently began its Operation Chill program as well. For 24 years, 7-Eleven has been working with police and sheriff’s departments across the U.S. to distribute free Slurpee drink coupons to children and youth caught doing good deeds. 7-Eleven will issue 1.475 million Slurpee drink coupons to more than 1,100 law enforcement agencies, with most of the coupons being distributed during the summer and back-to-school season.
Aloha Petroleum
Honolulu-based Aloha Petroleum recently donated more than $12,000 to Make-A-Wish Hawaii, a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children diagnosed with a critical illness. The funds were raised in March and April through Aloha’s ongoing collection canister program at participating Aloha Island Mart stores as well as through a special promotion at the Aloha Island Mart Hawaii Kai.
EG America
Cincinnati-based EG America, the U.S. division of international retailer EG Group, has launched a national campaign at all 989 of its U.S. c-stores to raise funds for Disabled American Veterans, a nonprofit organization that supports veterans and their families.
From July 4 through Sept. 2, store employees will ask customers to donate to the organization. EG’s goal is to raise more than $200,000. During the campaign, the stores will also periodically offer a free small cup of coffee to service members and veterans.
The participating stores include Kwik Shop, Loaf n’ Jug, Minit Mart, Quik Stop, Tom Thumb and Turkey Hill.
Parker's
Through its Fueling the Community charitable giving program, Savannah, Ga.-based Parker’s recently donated $10,000 to the Lowcountry Autism Foundation in support of the nonprofit organization’s art therapy program. The funds were raised via the sale of 20,000 reusable Autism Awareness travel cups, which were available at Parker’s locations in Georgia and South Carolina.
Stewart's Shops
In June, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-based Stewart’s Shops donated $184,348 to help 767 organizations. One of many donations included a donation of iced tea and refreshers to a Syracuse middle school for its third annual Charity Fun Run.
Stewart’s Shops also recently pledged $50,000 to the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center (MACSC) in Mechanicville, N.Y., if the organization can match the amount by the end of the year. The MACSC, which helps improve the lives of area residents through family support, empowerment, recreation and education, has collected about $40,000 in pledges so far.
Sheetz
Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz named Nathan Boyle (pictured left) of Bethlehem, Pa., the 2019 Sheetz Family Award of Excellence winner. Recognized during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games in June, Boyle was honored for his distinguished sportsmanship and perseverance through the event.
“We were simply inspired by Nathan’s dedication to teamwork and by how respected he is by the coaches and teams he competes against,” said Sheetz Public Relations Manager Nick Ruffner. “At Sheetz, we are deeply committed to supporting the communities we serve. We are proud to stand beside our partners at the Special Olympics as they continue to transform lives through the joy of sport, teamwork and friendship.”
TravelCenters of America
TravelCenters of America has launched its 10th annual campaign in support of the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund (SCF), a nonprofit organization that helps truck drivers suffering financial hardship as a result of being out of work due to illness or injury.
Throughout the monthlong campaign in July, guests and employees of TA, Petro and TA Express will be invited to make a donation of $1 or more.Commemorative wristbands will be given to those making a $1 donation, and a die-cast metal keychain will be given to those making a $5 donation.
Westlake, Ohio-based TravelCenters of America began supporting the SCF in 2010. As part of the “Band Together for SCF” campaign, the retailer purchases and donates all of the wristbands and keychains so that 100% of donations can be contributed to the SCF.
VERC Enterprises
Duxbury, Mass.-based VERC Enterprises recently gave a $500 grant to Cold Springs Elementary School in Plymouth, Mass. The grant was made possible through the ExxonMobil Education Alliance Program, which is funded by ExxonMobil Corp. and Global Partners LP. The program is designed to provide retailers an opportunity to invest in their communities through educational grants to neighborhood schools.
Yesway
Des Moines, Iowa-based Yesway recently donated $14,200 to Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable and secure military families so they can thrive in the communities they have worked hard to protect. Yesway is a National Two-Star Partner with Operation Homefront. The partnership is the foundation of the Yesway Gives Back charitable giving program, through which Yesway is supporting, honoring and meeting the needs of current and former members of the U.S. military and their families.
Utz Quality Foods
Utz Quality Foods, a salty-snack company based in Hanover, Pa., donated $100,000 each to the Hanover Public School District and the Conewago Valley School District. Hanover will use the funds for equipment and training to enhance its high school mechatronics program and increase exposure with an expansion to include middle school students. Conewago will also use the money for mechatronics equipment for its new Colonial Career and Technology Center at the New Oxford High School.
Have a community-service announcement of your own to share? Send related news to Kristina Peters at kpeters@winsightmedia.com.