TravelCenters of America (TA), Rutter’s, EG America, Love’s and Enmarket held fundraising initiatives and donated to organizations in recent months. The convenience-store chains donated to St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania, the American Cancer Society, local school districts, United Way and more.
TravelCenters of America
TravelCenters of America, a bp company, has raised nearly $300,000 for St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF) and TAT, formerly Truckers Against Trafficking in two separate fundraisers this summer. The Westlake, Ohio-based convenience-store chain raised nearly $200,000 at an annual charity golf event held in August. It will be distributed evenly between the two non-profits.
SCF, which provides financial assistance to professional drivers out of work due to illness or injury will receive an additional $89,000 from funds collected during a register Round Up campaign held in June and July at participating TA, Petro and TA Express locations.
“Thank you to our many guests, vendor partners, franchisees and team members who have been so generous with their time and support for SCF and TAT,” said Debi Boffa, CEO of TA. “These organizations have an immense impact on the trucking community, and we are committed to continuing our support of their important work.”
Rutter’s
Rutter’s Children’s Charities, York, Pennsylvania, donated $50,000 to a local non-profit, Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania, earlier this year, with the funds dedicated to building a tiny home and providing individualized services for a veteran facing homelessness.
To give veterans the stability and dignity they deserve after their service, Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania built and is now operating “Veterans Grove” in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to assist those who may have fallen through the cracks as they transitioned from military to civilian life.
The community is nestled on a tranquil five-acre parcel strategically located in south Harrisburg and consists of 15 tiny homes, where veterans can reclaim a degree of safety, privacy and peace. It also includes a large community center, where veterans can enjoy congregate meals and find camaraderie, along with peer and counselor support.
The goal is to provide veterans with not only shelter, but the comprehensive support and services they need to address the root causes of homelessness and regain their independence and sense of purpose.
Rutter’s Children’s Charities stepped up to sponsor the fifteenth of the 15 tiny homes.
EG America
EG America, Westborough, Massachusetts, raised more than $645,000 for the American Cancer Society during its nationwide in-store fundraiser in July.
Throughout the month, guests at EG America’s Certified Oil, Cumberland Farms, Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf ‘N Jug, Minit Mart, Quik Stop, Sprint Food Stores, Tom Thumb and Turkey Hill stores were able to donate $1, $5 or an amount of their choosing to the American Cancer Society. EG America then matched the amounts raised by the top stores to increase the donation total.
“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the American Cancer Society in its fight against cancer,” said John Carey, EG America’s president and CEO. “Thanks to the compassion and generosity of our guests and the dedication of our store team members, we’re doing our part to help individuals and families impacted by this disease.”
The American Cancer Society improves the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer.
“The American Cancer Society is thankful for EG America and its guests for making this fundraiser such a success,” said Tammy Ahles, chief of staff, Northeast Region, American Cancer Society. “The funds raised will allow us to invest greater resources into our life-saving programs, research, and services, and directly supports our vision of ending cancer as we know it.”
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores
As a nod to its roots and its 60th anniversary, Love’s is donating $6,000 to schools or school districts in each of the 63 cities it operates country stores. This initiative spans five states and totals $378,000. Local leaders and store team members in Oklahoma, Kansas, Utah, Colorado and Arizona selected the local school and district recipients.
“On behalf of El Reno Public Schools and El Reno High School, thank you for considering us and donating to us as it will go a long way to help us have a great, successful school year,” said Tim Pounds, principal at El Reno High School in Oklahoma. “I know our kids enjoy getting out and being able to get their snacks, gas and everything from Love’s. We really appreciate this donation and Love’s in our community.”
Love’s roots can be traced back to 1964 and a single country store in Watonga, Oklahoma.
“In honor of our 60th anniversary we wanted to show our appreciation to the steadfast loyalty our customers and these communities have shown our country stores,” said Jenny Love Meyer, chief culture officer and executive vice president of Love’s, Oklahoma City. “Six decades ago, in one of our newspaper advertisements for the first store, my dad included this short phrase ‘fuels for the future.’ Fast forward to today, and the start of a new school year, and we hope these funds will play a small part in fueling future generations of youth.”
Enmarket
Enmarket, Savannah, Georgia, has donated $28,227.29 to nine United Way organizations across the three states in which the convenience store chain operates. Most of that total came from Enmarket customers contributing to an in-store round-up campaign, with the company headquarters contributing the final $5,000.
“We are proud that 110 locations participated in this fundraising drive, where customers had the option to round up their purchase, with the change going to United Way,” said Matt Clements, president of Enmarket. “Enmarket, as part of the Colonial Group family of companies, has a long history of supporting United Way, and this drive was an effective and fitting way to continue that tradition.”
The donations were distributed to United Way groups in the communities of the stores where the funds were raised.
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