Valero Energy Donates to Salvation Army

SAN ANTONIO -- Valero Energy Corp. kicked off The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Season here recently with a $25,000 charitable donation, according to a report by the San Antonio Express-News.

The annual donation is beneficial to everyone involved, according to Eric Fisher, Valero's corporate communications vice president. "This way Valero can support The Salvation Army, and our employees see us interacting with this great, helpful organization," he told the news organization.

Salvation Army Development Director Jose Macias said large donations such as Valero's are especially important during the recession, as donations have been lower, with fewer people contributing. "In addition," Macias told the newspaper, "demand for services has increased. We are feeling this impact, but we are doing the best we can to keep up with demand."

Valero's donation was handed off by children in its day care center. Each of the kids got the chance to donate coins; four children presented the check to the Salvation Army.

"Valero Energy has been a strong corporate sponsor," Macias told the newspaper. "They have helped maintain our mission of service to our community. We manage youth development programs, preventative homelessness care, shelters and low-income housing. There's so much we can do with this donation."