SAN ANTONIO -- Valero Energy Corp. raised more than $884,000 for Children's Miracle Network (CMN) during a recent fundraising campaign held in its company-operated Diamond Shamrock and Valero Corner Stores. The campaign raised funds for 38 children's hospitals located in nine of the states where Valero has retail outlets.
Throughout the campaign, customers who made a donation to CMN received a personalized Miracle Balloon, which was displayed in the store. The Miracle Balloon is the well-known symbol of CMN, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping [image-nocss] children by raising funds and awareness for children's hospitals throughout North America.
We are excited about achieving another great campaign, especially since so many of our employees and customers were already donating to hurricane relief programs and helping with recovery efforts, said Gary Arthur, Valero's senior vice president of retail and specialty products marketing. Because of the tremendous effort of our retail employees, along with the generosity of our customers, we were able to support our communities and help ensure that children in need receive the best health care available.
With its nationwide donation of $884,000, Valero raised 10% more on a per-store basis versus 2004. The company's retail stores have participated in the CMN fundraising campaign for the past 11 years and have raised more than $5.4 million for children's hospitals in that time.
San Antonio-based Valero operates more than 5,000 retail and branded wholesale outlets in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean under brand names including Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar, and Beacon.
Separately, York, Pa.-based Rutters Farm Stores Inc. recently presented a check for $2,691.50 to ACCESS-York, a nonprofit group that is dedicated to the elimination of domestic violence.
In 2005, Rutter's made charitable contributions of approximately $200,000.
Family-owned and third-generation managed, the Rutter's companies comprise Rutter's Farm Stores, Rutter's Dairy and M&G Realty, a real-estate holding company.Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.