Community Service Roundup, April 2022

CHICAGO — The charity roundup for April features seven convenience-store chains and a regional c-store association, as well as several industry suppliers.

Click through to find out about their latest community-focused initiatives ...

Energy North Group, based in Lawrence, Mass., raised $101,415 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in 2022. This is the 18th consecutive year that the company has raised funds to research muscular dystrophy, ALS and related neuromuscular diseases, as well as to fund children’s time at MDA Summer Camp.

As a part of the MDA St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock fundraiser, Energy North Group, Haffner’s and Tradewinds gas stations, car washes and convenience stores had MDA Shamrocks available to purchase as direct donations. Energy North Group also donated $2 for every car washed.

Speedway, based in Enon, Ohio, raised more than $19 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in 2021 through in-storecampaigns, promotions and the annual Speedway Miracle Tournament. For more than 30 years, Speedway and its customers, vendors and associates have raisedfunds to advance pediatric healthcare, improve individual patients’ health,protect children’s’ futures and enhance local communities.

Funds raised at the golf tournament accounted for $2.5 million of the total, which went toward supporting 43 local children’s hospitals.

“Speedway customers and associates have an unwavering commitment to supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the communities in which we operate,” said Rankin Gasaway,  executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven, which owns the Speedway chain. “We are looking forward to continuing and growing our partnership and we invite customers to help us give back throughout the year.”

Dorado, Ark.-based Murphy USA announced the first phase of its Great Futures Fueled Here campaign for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, taking place through July 5. Customers can make a monetary contribution of $1, $5 or $10, or round up their purchases to the nearest dollar amount at checkout.

In addition to the $3 million already raised to support the Boys & Girls Clubs, Murphy USA, as a national partner, is committed to raising an additional $500,000 during its campaign in 2022. The second phase is set to take place from Aug. 3 to Nov. 1.

“Giving back is part of our broader mission and commitment as an organization to our team members, customers and communities,” said Andrew Clyde, president and CEO of Murphy USA.  “We are passionate about providing opportunities for the next generation.”

Savannah, Ga.-based Enmarket held its third Charity Classic and raised $180,000—$20,000 more than last year—to be split evenly between the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire and Make-a-Wish Georgia. Participants played the Marshwood and Magnolia courses at The Landings Club.

Enmarket also donated 500 gallons of diesel fuel in April to assist in cleanup from the tornado in the Pembroke and Black Creek areas of Bryan County, Ga. Enmarket partnered with Badger Rental Services to help fuel fleets of trucks, tractors and construction equipment provided by volunteers helping clean up trees and storm debris.

Wawa, Pa.-based Wawa Inc. provided hospitals across its Mid-Atlantic operating area the chance to submit a nomination for the Wawa Community Care Vehicle to make a visit. The coffee- and hot chocolate- serving vehicle will make an appearance at the selected hospitals during Nurses Week, May 6 through May 12.

“We appreciate the tireless efforts and ongoing commitment nurses have shown these last challenging years and want to continue doing our part of showing appreciation to healthcare heroes with the Coffee & Care Tour, “ said Chris Gheysens, president and CEO of Wawa.  “We hope our visit brightens the days of thousands of nurses in the community and lets the healthcare community know they can always count on Wawa.”

Savannah, Ga.-based Parker’s donated $74,000 to the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System to support students and teachers. The company’s Fueling the Community program is a longstanding charitable initiative that donates a portion of every gallon of gas sold on the first Wednesday of each month to area schools in coastal Georgia and South Carolina.

Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go partnered with Please Pass The Love’s Stick By Me campaign. Pass The Love is a nonprofit that works to empower school communities to embrace and sustain mental health and wellness supports for students.

The campaign is a suicide prevention initiative in which stickers featuring crisis lifelines are shared with students and educators at more than 1,000 schools across Iowa for no cost. Kum & Go has committed to displaying stickers in all of its stores restroom stalls.

The New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketers Association (NECSEMA), a nonprofit group for the c-store and transportation fuels industry based in Stoughton, Mass., donated $3,000 in gas cards to the Lynn Community Connections Coalition in Massachusetts this month. The donation went towards providing relief to Lynn area homeless and others in need as the price of fuel continues to rise.

“Upon being made aware of this dire reality, it quickly became apparent NECSEMA was in a unique position to help,” said Jonathan Shaer, executive director of NECSEMA. “I’m so proud of the quick response of our members to answer this call for good. We were able to help an organization in Rhode Island and now we’ve identified a partner in Massachusetts. I thank the Lynn legislative delegation for their partnership so we may get these resources into the hands of people who need them most during these uniquely difficult times.”

Tanknology, an environmental compliance testing, inspection services and fuel quality firm based in Austin, Texas, plans to donate $1 to its new partner, One Tree Planted, for every 10,000 miles driven by Tanknology Service technicians and inspectors. The company’s first donation was on Earth Day, April 22.

Shelburne, Vt.-based One Tree Planted plants one tree for every dollar donated and has planted over 40 million trees since its inception.

Tanknology’s donation will assist in the planting of 1,000 new trees in North America.

Talking Rain, maker of Sparkling Ice, based in Preston, Wash., is honoring veterans with its third annual Cheers to Heroes campaign through July 31. This year, the company is partnering with Honor Flight Network and Homes For Our Troops.

Customers can donate through the Sparkling Ice rewards program by redeeming earned points for donations on either charity.

Sparkling Ice is also launching two new flavors, Berry Lemonade and Caffeine Watermelon Lemonade, with limited edition packaging that displays the logos for Honor Flight Network and Homes For Our Troops.

Honor Flight Network is a national network of independent hubs working together to honor our nation’s Veterans with an all-expenses paid trip to the memorials in Washington, D.C. Homes For Our Troops is a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting the severely injured Veteran community by building and donating specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans.

Cracker Jack, a Frito-Lay company based in Plano, Texas, introduced Cracker Jill to celebrate women athletes and raise funds for the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF). The foundation is a national non-profit that conducts research and advocacy and supports community programming to help girls and women across the country reach their potential in sport and life.

Cracker Jack donated $200,000 to WSF, and anyone who donates $5 or more will be sent a Cracker Jill bag while supplies last. The five special-edition bags are also available for purchase at ballparks across the country.

The brand also partnered with award-winning artist Normani for a reimagined rendition of Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Artist and model Monica Ahannon, an expert in color theory and a trailblazer for Black artists, created the Cracker Jill portraits. Each Jill, representing diversity, was inspired by the most represented ethnicities in the United States, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Gatorade, a PepsiCo brand based in Purchase, N.Y., is offering a mentorship experience with one of three athletes: Serena Williams, Karl-Anthony Towns and Elena Delle Donne. Gatorade is offering this opportunity to bring attention to diverse role models in sports who have overcome barriers.

People aged 13-25 can enter to win through September 2022 or by scanning the QR code on the limited-time Tropic Flash Gatorade flavor.

The opportunities are detailed below:

• Serena Williams: One winner will be flown into the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. for a one-on-one tennis lesson with an IMG coach, as well as a virtual Q&A session with Williams.
• Karl-Anthony Towns: One winner will be flown into the Minnesota Timberwolves practice facility to spend a day with Towns playing basketball.
• Elena Delle Donne: One winner will be flown into the Entertainment and Sports Arena, home to the Washington Mystics for a skills and drills session with Delle Donne, as well as programming around mindfulness.

Keebler, aFerrero Group brand based in Chicago, has celebrated the milestone of $1 million in donations to Make A Wish during its three-year partnership, the company has announced. The company’s funds have given more than 100 wishes for children battling critical illnesses.