The U.S. convenience-store industry on July 24 will celebrate local heroes in its communities, and all they do for others in times of need, in what is known as 24/7 Day.
Hosted by the NACS Foundation, “24/7 Day recognizes and gives back to first responders, police, fire, EMTs, doctors, nurses, health practitioners, medical personnel, 9-1-1 professionals and Red Cross volunteers, all of whom work around the clock to ensure people don’t face emergencies alone,” the Alexandria, Virginia-based foundation said.
This year’s event is themed Here for Heroes, Here for You “and recognizes these heroes by offering a token of gratitude from one of their largest supporters—the convenience store industry,” the foundation said, adding that the event also raises awareness and donations for the American Red Cross.
More than 60 retailers and suppliers nationwide representing about 30,000 stores will each have an offer—such as free coffee, free meals or branded merchandise—that any first responder can claim by wearing their uniform or showing a badge.
“The 24/7 Day celebration was born from the realization that there is a deep connection between first responders and the convenience store community,” said Stephanie Sikorski, executive director of the NACS Foundation. “Our mutual workforce provides essential services in times of great need while also acting as a reliable and safe hub for connection and socialization.
“We’ve heard too often that ‘nothing good happens after zero-dark-thirty,’ but our research shows that these small hours are actually when first responders and convenience stores unite across a range of critical community efforts, from setting up for a disaster relief effort or simply getting a healthy snack or drink during a shift to keep energy high,” Sikorski added. “We are proud to support these efforts, which keep our communities strong.”
Integral Part
Convenience stores are an integral part of everyday life across the United States, the foundation said. There are more than 152,000 convenience stores across the country, which conduct 160 million transactions a day.
Convenience stores expected to participate in the 24/7 Day include: 1-Stop, Admiral, Allsup’s and Yesway, Apple Market, BreadBox, Casey’s, Certified Oil, CFCA, Cumberland Farms, Delek, Enmarket, Express Stop, E-Z Mart, fas mart, fastmarket, Fastrac, FavTrip, Flash Market, Garrett’s Family Market and Rapid Refill Convenience Stores, Handy Mart, High’s, Hop Shops, Huck’s, Jiffi Stop, Jiffy Stop Food Marts, KwikShop, Loaf ’N Jug, Li’l Cricket, Loop Neighborhood Markets, Minit Mart, Next Door Store, OnCue, On the Run, Onvo, Poppy Market, Pride, Quarles, QuickStop Markets, R Store, RaceTrac, Roadrunner Markets, Rutter’s, Scotchman, Sheetz, shore stop, Sprint Food Stores, Sprint Mart, St. Romain Oil Co./Y-Not Stop, The Convenience Group, The Hub Convenience Stores, The Markets of Tiger Fuel Co., Tom Thumb, Town Star, TXB, Turkey Hill Minit Markets, UNCLE’s, Village Pantry, Young’s, and Wawa and The Wawa Foundation.
A full list of participants, as well as what each store is offering, is available at 247Day.org.
- Many of the chains are in CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count. Click here to see the complete list.
Supplier partners including Keurig Dr Pepper, NENA: The 9-1-1 Association and GSTV, which are also supporting the effort through a range of efforts and offers.
Participating retailers each support 24/7 Day in their own way, offering everything from free coffee to merchandise, the foundation said.
15,000 Hot Beverages
“Other convenience stores, like Wawa, celebrate their partnership with the American Red Cross by mailing 15,000 free hot beverage coupons to American Red Cross volunteers to thank them for their service and use the day to announce in-store customer fundraising results that support disaster relief efforts in the community,” the foundation said.
“We hope you will join us in supporting the heroes who are always here for us, helping others and giving so much of themselves in times of incredible need,” said Nathan Measom, director of cause marketing for the American Red Cross.
In addition to visiting a convenience store on 24/7 Day, the NACS Foundation invites the public to also take part by:
- Donating to the American Red Cross.
- Using the hashtag #247Day to show how one supports hometown heroes.
- Sharing stories of appreciation for first responders, medical personnel, 9-1-1 professionals, Red Cross volunteers and other local heroes in their community on social media, tagging #247Day.
The NACS Foundation is the 501(c)3 charitable arm of NACS, the global industry association dedicated to advancing convenience and fuel retailing. In partnership with fuel retail, convenience and suppliers across the United States, the NACS Foundation propels brighter futures by unifying and amplifying the philanthropic and charitable activities of the industry in communities across America.
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