In honor of Veterans Day, the Wawa Foundation presented a $1 million check to the USO along with 10,000 care packages for deployed military service members. In addition, Wawa offered free any-size hot coffee to veterans, active military service members and their families, all day, with no military ID required, at all 1,000+ Wawa stores on Veterans Day.
“It’s our annual tradition to salute service members on Veterans Day with a hot cup of coffee to thank them for everything they do to serve our country and our communities,” said Chris Gheysens, Wawa CEO. “Also for the past 13 years, we’ve been providing service members abroad with a taste of home through our coffee care packages, and we are thrilled to continue this tradition once again in 2023 and for years to come.”
Throughout November, Wawa associates, the USO, and Pennsylvania National Guard members assembled more than 10,000 care packages at assembling events. These care packages were sent to military service members abroad.
Operation Taste of Home is an annual tradition organized by Wawa associates and supported by the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey and USO Central Florida.
The Wawa Foundation presented a check to the USO for $1,020,174.62 raised through in-store coin and scan campaigns held at every Wawa store during the summer of 2023. The funds go to programs supporting military service members and their families and are distributed to the local USO chapters throughout Wawa’s operating area.
Since 2012, the Wawa Foundation has raised over $10.8 million to support USO programs and services that help to keep service members connected to family, home and country.
In The Community
Every year, the convenience retail industry dedicates billions of dollars to advancing the futures of individuals and families in our communities. The NACS Foundation unifies and builds on NACS members’ charitable efforts to amplify their work in communities across America and to share these powerful stories.
Learn more at www.conveniencecares.org.
EG America Raises $520,000 for United Way
In recognition of Hunger Action Month, guests donated $1, $5 or an amount of their choosing during checkout. All in-store guest donations support United Way and its mission to provide meals to families in need across the country.
Rutter’s Children’s Charities Donates $100,000 to Wounded Warriors
Rutter’s Children’s Charities showed appreciation for America’s veterans and active-duty military with a $100,000 donation to Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, an organization dedicated to providing emergency financial assistance to veterans and their families to help pay for housing, utilities, transportation, medical and other expenses that are critical to those who have served when they return home.
Enmarket Donates to Cancer Research
Enmarket raised $142,350 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Light the Night campaign. The initiative launched in September across Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina and encouraged customers to donate at checkout. Over the past 11 years, Enmarket has donated more than $1.1 million to the program.
CEFCO Raises $450,000 for Fikes Foundation
CEFCO Convenience Stores and its parent company, the Fikes Companies, hosted its annual Hackers R Us charity golf tournament, raising a record-breaking $450,000. The funds will go directly to the Fikes Foundation to support various charitable organizations that strengthen local communities and support youth. Beneficiaries include institutions like Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the McLane Children’s Hospital in Temple, Texas.
The Kent Companies Raises $85,000
The Kent Companies recently presented Buckner of Midland, a program supporting single parents, with a check for $85,000. This donation represents the proceeds from The Kent Companies charity golf tournament, held this past June at Odessa Country Club.
Parker’s Kitchen Raises $328,000 for Education
Parker’s Kitchen held its 11th annual Fueling the Community charity golf tournament in Savannah, Georgia. More than 270 golfers raised a record $328,000 to support public and private schools in the communities the company serves. In 2022, Parker’s Kitchen expanded the tournament across two courses due to the popularity of the charity event.
MFA Oil Foundation Awarded Over $300,000 in 2023
Throughout the 2023 fiscal year, the MFA Oil Foundation, awarded over $300,000 in nonprofit support to 118 organizations in communities where the MFA Oil Company operates. Grants awarded in 2023 include more than $152,000 for education (schools), over $59,000 for civic endeavors (fire and police departments, historical societies, etc.), more than $47,000 for human services (food banks, senior centers, etc.) and nearly $41,000 for youth (playgrounds, youth sports, etc.).