Community Service Spotlight: Hershey, Spinx & VP Racing Fuels

7/12/2017

NATIONAL REPORT — Giving back through community service efforts and charitable 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 Ltd. raised $5,401.60 for USO Hawaii, a private organization dedicated to serving service members and their families through several program outreaches and two center operations on Oahu. In recognition of Military Appreciation Month (May), Aloha Petroleum donated a percentage of all fountain drinks sold at Aloha Island Marts in May to USO Hawaii.

“We’re so honored to be able to support USO Hawaii, which acts as a valuable support system for service members stationed in Hawaii and across the globe, connecting them with their families and communities even when they are far from home,” said Gary Altman, general manager for Aloha Petroleum’s convenience stores.

CEFCO Convenience Stores

CEFCO Convenience Stores and its parent company, Fikes Wholesale Inc., donated $735,000 during its 16th annual “Hackers-R-Us” Charity Golf Tournament on June 19. Of the money raised, $510,000 went to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and $225,000 to the Fikes Foundation.

In 1999, CEFCO began its partnership with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, with $700 raised in stores. To date, CEFCO has raised and donated more than $5,500,000 to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, and various Fikes Foundation Charitable causes.

NACS

NACS, the Association for Convenience & Fuel Retailing, partnered with the American Red Cross to advance community giving and disaster relief programs for NACS member companies. The groups are focusing on developing resources to facilitate donation collection by convenience store companies nationwide, as well as encourage volunteer assistance programs for Red Cross volunteers around specific local or national events.

The announcement of the partnership aligned with the Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1.

NACS is the first retail-focused association to partner with the American Red Cross on such a program, the association stated.

Parker’s Convenience Stores

Savannah, Ga.-based Parker’s donated $1,500 to the Wayne County School System as part of the company’s Fueling the Community charitable initiative. Parker’s donates a portion of every gallon of gas sold on the first Wednesday of each month to area schools through the Fueling the Community program. PumpPal club members can select which school will receive the proceeds from their Fueling the Community gas purchase on the first Wednesday.

The convenience store retailer also hosted the 2017 Outstanding Students Award Ceremony, where Parker’s President and CEO Greg Parker presented scholarship checks and gifts to six area high school students. He awarded each a $1,000 academic scholarship.

Sunoco LP

Donations through in-store Miracle Balloon Fundraising Campaigns at Stripes and APlus convenience stores, owned and operated by Sunoco, helped raise more than $1.6 million dollars for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals around the country.

"Children's Miracle Network Hospitals are tremendous assets in our communities and it is an incredible opportunity to work alongside of them," said Eduardo Pereda, vice president of convenience brands, Sunoco. “We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our customers and team members who raised more than $1.6 million to help continue to support children and their families during some of the most difficult times in their lives."

Since 2000, Stripes and APlus have partnered with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals to raise more than $12 million.

The Hershey Co.

The Hershey Co. President and CEO Michele Buck signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace. The collaborative of more than 150 chief executive officers pledged to cultivate a trusting environment where all ideas are welcomed and employees feel comfortable and empowered to discuss diversity and inclusion, the company stated.

The pledge builds on Hershey’s progress made toward its goal to be a premier industry leader in diversity and inclusion by 2020, including the Paradigm for Parity, a movement committed to achieving a new norm in corporate America in which women and men have equal power, status and opportunity.

The confectionery company also issued its latest annual Corporate Social Responsibility report that outlined the progress made during 2016 toward Hershey’s commitment to “Shared Goodness.” Notable milestones and progress from the report include:

The launch of “25 by 25” sustainability goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water use and waste.
Increasing its certified and sustainable cocoa sourcing to 60 percent of all cocoa it purchased.
The expansion of partnerships and programs in Ghana, the United States, Canada and China through Nourishing Minds, the company’s shared social purpose.
The addition of detailed product and ingredient info online and on packaging.
The introduction of SmartFlex, a suite of policies and a mindset for balancing work and personal time that encourages employees to make smart choices for themselves and for Hershey's business.

The Spinx Co.

Spinx held its 17th Annual Charity Classic Golf Tournament, raising a total of $185,809.18. The funds will be distributed to five local charities whose missions align with Spinx’s Charitable Mission. The 2017 beneficiaries include: the American Red Cross of the Upstate, American Red Cross of the Lowcountry, Safe Harbor, Ronald McDonald House of the Carolinas, and Harvest Hope Food Bank.

VP Racing Fuels

VP Racing Fuels became official fuel sponsor for Prime Motivation, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping disconnected youth stay in school and focus on future personal and career-oriented goals.

As official fuel sponsor, VP will help support events staged by Prime Motivation on high school campuses to showcase customized vehicles with the latest aftermarket and high-tech products and gadgets.

“The objective of Prime Motivation is to reduce the number of out-of-school, out-of-work youths by providing them with the opportunity to look, touch, hear and see the tour vehicles and the products installed in them,” said Donato Bonaquisto, director of marketing for VP Racing Fuels. “It’s a fun, innovative, interactive strategy which promotes a positive message to motivate youths to further their education and seek vocational training as a possible career path to help lead them towards a path of self-sufficiency, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”