Community Service Spotlight: Jiffy Mart, Huck’s & Casey's
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:
Anheuser-Busch Inc.
Anheuser-Busch's Bud Light is partnering with Keep America Beautiful to launch the "Do Good. Have Fun." series, a program that will engage consumers coast to coast in community refreshment projects. The program kicked off with several cleanup projects across the country.
Tapping Keep America Beautiful's national network of community-based affiliates, Bud Light will bring people together all summer long for various hands-on projects in their local areas. Consumers aged 21 or older can sign up for projects in their local community by visiting www.upforwhatever.com.
Casey’s General Stores Inc.
Casey’s and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Iowa kicked off the "Cup Campaign" over Memorial Day weekend and it will continue through Labor Day. A portion of the sales from each 44-ounce beverage sold in 503 participating Casey’s stores will be donated to Special Olympics Iowa to support the organization’s 80-plus regional events and eight statewide competitions every year.
The 44-ounce cups feature the photos of Special Olympics athletes and Global Messengers, Blaine Fuller of Marshalltown and Angela Oberlander of Des Moines, in addition to officials representing the Iowa State Patrol, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Motor Vehicles-MVE and the Dallas Center Police Department.
Gulf Oil LP
Gulf Oil Giving Foundation’s inaugural Swing for Hope Golf Charitable Tournament raised more than $100,000 for breast cancer research and awareness. The event was held May 19 as part of Gulf’s 2014 Brand Meeting and Trade Show, and was a success thanks to the participation of Gulf dealers and partners from across the nation.
The Gulf Oil Giving Foundation organized and hosted the tournament in national partnership with The American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program. In return for their generosity, golfers enjoyed a full day of activities at the elite TPC Summerlin championship golf course in Las Vegas.
Jiffy Mart
Baltimore Ravens football fans recently filled up the Green Turtle Sports Bar & Grille in Westminster, Md., to see three-time All Pro and World Champion Marshal Yanda at the Jiffy Mart Boys and Girls Club Autograph Signing Event. The event helped raise both funds and awareness for the local Boys and Girls Club.
Nearly 200 people lined up for autographs. Those in attendance were also entered to win a Super Bowl football signed by the Baltimore Football World Champion Kicking Team of Justin Tucker, Sam Koch and Morgan Cox. As an added treat, Martins Chips and Home Team Snacks provided samples to those in line, and Jiffy Mart filled goodie bags with free coupons to be used at the company's convenience stores in Carroll County, Md.
The Jiffy Mart team made a check presentation in late May totaling $1,700 to the Boys and Girls Club.
Living Essentials LLC
Living Essentials will support Living Beyond Breast Cancer for a second year through sales of the limited-edition, specially marked pink lemonade flavor of 5-hour Energy, which will be on store shelves starting in September.
This year, Living Essentials will donate 5 cents from the sale of every bottle of specially marked pink lemonade flavored 5-hour Energy shots sold in the United States to the national nonprofit whose mission is to provide trusted information and a community of support to individuals affected by breast cancer, their families, caregivers and medical professionals. The minimum guaranteed donation is $200,000.
Martin and Bayley Corp.
Martin and Bayley, the parent company of Huck’s convenience stores, signed on as corporate sponsor of Huck’s Ride for the Fund on Saturday, July 12. The chairty poker run will begin and end at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Ill., with card draws at Riverside Park in Murphysboro, John A. Logan College, West Frankfort City Park and the Harbor Oaks picnic area at Rend Lake.
Over the past several years, thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from across the country have participated in what has become the largest fundraiser for the Coach Kill Cancer Fund. Former Southern Illinois University football coach Jerry Kill created the fund in 2006 after a personal bout with cancer.
Huck’s employees will rally to support the cause at the many poker run stops throughout the region during the event.