Community Service Spotlight: Aloha, Sheetz & Spinx
NATIONAL REPORT -- Giving back through community service efforts and charity donations is a positive force that keeps many retailers and suppliers of this industry moving ahead. On a regular basis, Convenience Store News highlights these philanthropic efforts in this special section.
Here are the latest company spotlights:
Aloha Petroleum Ltd.
Aloha Petroleum’s Aloha Island Marts throughout Hawaii recently raised $5,224.39 for Hope for the Warriors, which assists wounded military personnel, veterans and their family members through a wide range of care programs.
Funds were collected through Aloha Island Marts' in-store canister collections and the sale of Spam Musubi. More than 16,630 Spam Musubi units were sold in the month of May, with a portion of the proceeds from each sale donated to the nonprofit organization.
Along with this fundraising opportunity, Aloha Petroleum also offered a special fuel discount as part of its Military Appreciation Month program in May, which allowed all active military, their dependents and military veterans to save 10 cents per gallon.
Casey’s General Stores Inc.
The Midwest River Region of the American Red Cross teamed up with Casey’s General Stores in Iowa and Illinois to help people affected by the recent tornadoes, high winds and flooding in the region.
Two Red Cross emergency response vehicles were deployed to distribute food and relief supplies, and more vehicles are on alert. An emergency shelter also was opened in Pilger, Neb., to help residents impacted by the storm.
Chevron Corp.
Odessa Fire/Rescue in Texas received a $10,000 donation from Chevron that will be used in the immediate future to purchase new equipment for employees. Specifically, the money will be used for items such as boots, goggles, helmet lights and other equipment.
Sheetz Inc.
Sheetz and the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at Geisinger, Pa., will host a special Princess & Pirate Party in July, with kids' activities such as a treasure hunt, princess hair-dos and nail painting, talk-like-a-pirate lessons, face painting, walking the plank, crafts and more.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Janet Weis Children’s Hospital pediatric services. Sheetz is the corporate sponsor for this year’s Princess & Pirate Party.
The Spinx Co.
Five local charities in South Carolina received checks totaling $70,000 from the proceeds of the 14th annual Spinx Charity Classic Golf Tournament, which was held in May and had more than 200 golfers participating.
The 2014 charity recipients were the American Red Cross-Greenville Chapter, Greenville Tech Foundation, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Junior Achievement of Upstate South Carolina, and Pendleton Place for Children and Families.
Stripes Convenience Stores
The University of Texas-Pan American received $50,000 from the Stripes Convenience Stores College Scholarship Fund to assist local students in obtaining higher education. Fifty-five students were selected through the university's Scholarship Office to receive the merit-based award that will provide $1,000 to each for the 2014-15 academic year.
The selection criteria required that students be residents of a Stripes operating county, enrolled full time, have a minimum 2.5 GPA and demonstrate involvement in community activities.
The Stripes Convenience Stores College Scholarship Fund is made possible from the money raised through a four-week fundraising drive conducted in all Stripes locations during December. Customers purchased $1 Stripes College Scholarship Fund paper cutouts to raise more than $545,000. The campaign was conducted in 575 stores in the Stripes operating area that encompasses Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. The funds raised are being distributed proportionately to colleges and universities within those states.