Stewart's President Does In-Store Stint

Cobleskill, N.Y. -- Gary Dake, president of Stewarts Shops, the Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-based chain of 328 convenience stores in upstate New York and Vermont, spent a day working in a store here to recognize and thank employees and customers for their support of the retailer's recent Holiday Match collection program.

Holiday Match is a charitable program, with a matching grant from Stewart's, to help kids in need all year long. Since 1986, Stewart's, its media partners and customers have raised almost $15 million for local charities benefitting children under the age of 18.

This year, Stewart's 328 stores raised $700,000. With Stewart's matching grant, the total swells to $1.4 million.

Dake worked in the Cobleskill, N.Y. store, located on West Main Street, from 1 to 5 p.m. today. A photo on Stewart's Facebook page shows Dake working the counter and thanking everyone for their generosity.