Convenience Cares for Kids' Health

The convenience retailing industry collects or contributes $1 billion to charities and community groups each year, NACS research indicates. For more than 35 years, convenience stores have been engaging employees and customers in campaigns to support local children’s hospitals throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Convenience retailer OnCue, based in Stillwater, Oklahoma, donated $1 million to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Stillwater Medical Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the largest single gift ever received at Stillwater Medical. Stillwater Medical Foundation has been raising funds to bring a Level II NICU to the hospital, where the new 10-bed unit will serve all central and north central Oklahoma.

The OnCue Neonatal ICU is scheduled to open in spring 2024.

“We knew our gift would make the NICU a reality, and our commitment would have an impact on children and families in Oklahoma for decades to come,” said OnCue President Laura Aufleger. “Our stores have been serving the Stillwater area for 55 years, and I am beyond grateful that we can make this investment to save lives in our community.”

Often, premature babies must be sent out of state because there are not enough NICU beds to keep Oklahoma families together. OnCue’s donation will help families with premature babies who have to face unimaginable decisions such as being separated from their baby minutes after delivery or having to choose whether to stay with their postpartum spouse or travel with their newborn. The creation of a Level II NICU in Stillwater allows families to stay closer to home.

“The Foundation is grateful for OnCue’s vision and generous investment in Stillwater and all of north central Oklahoma, and we are excited to celebrate the naming of the OnCue Neonatal Intensive Care Unit,” said Michal Shaw, Stillwater Medical Foundation executive director.

Supply chain services leader McLane Company has helped raise more than $101 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since 1987 through local fundraising efforts, hospital donations, underwriting of CMN Hospitals operations and supplier campaign support.

“Our longstanding partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals allows us and our supplier and customer partners to join forces in making a difference in the lives of children with critical needs across the country,” said Tony Frankenberger, CEO of McLane. “We’re proud to have reached this milestone and will continue our steadfast support for years to come.”

A large part of McLane’s support for CMN Hospitals comes from grassroots fundraising at more than 75 distribution centers across the country. Distribution centers engage their local communities in supporting local hospitals through a variety of events.

McLane Phoenix, for example, recently supported the 21st Annual Duel in the Desert Golf Tournament raising more than $30,000 to benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Charles Pray, McLane Phoenix division general manager, serves as a Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation corporate executive board member.

In The Community

Every year, the convenience and fuel retailing 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.

SPINX COMPANY PROVIDES FREE MEALS

The Spinx Company commemorated its 50th anniversary by donating over 2,000 meals to multiple nonprofits in the Upstate region of South Carolina. Spinx celebrated 50 years in business on December 1, 2022, and harnessed the power of The Cluk Truk—an initiative launched in 2020 to serve Spinx’s popular fried chicken in surrounding communities. As part of its yearlong celebration, Spinx selected one organization per month to receive free meals from the Cluk Truk. “We are sincerely grateful to our community partners for their continued support over the last 50 years,” said Stewart Spinks, founder and chairman of The Spinx Company. “Without these organizations, the Upstate would not be the place it is today. We celebrated a big anniversary this past year, and it just made sense to share the celebration with our neighbors and partners.”

MURPHY USA DONATES $25 MILLION

Murphy USA donated $25 million to the Murphy USA Charitable Foundation, which will continue to support positive changes in local communities. The foundation funds the company’s matching gifts, including the annual United Way campaign and other charities. “Murphy USA and its board of directors are firmly committed to the communities where we live and work, especially in South Arkansas and our headquarters town of El Dorado. By making this donation to our foundation, we will continue to look for ways to make a positive impact with all of our key stakeholders,” said Murphy USA President and CEO Andrew Clyde.

TIGER FUEL GIFTS $25,000 TO UVA STRONG FUND

Tiger Fuel Company, based in Charlottesville, Virginia, made a $25,000 holiday donation to the UVA Strong Fund, an effort administered by the University of Virginia Alumni Association to honor the victims and support the survivors, families and broader student community in the wake of the events of November 13, 2022. The Tiger Fuel Company charitable giving program includes a meaningful donation every holiday season in honor of employees and customers. “We all unanimously agreed that we wanted to do something to honor the victims and support the survivors, families and broader UVA student community in the wake of the events of November 13,” said Gordon Sutton, president of Tiger Fuel Company. “Tiger Fuel’s generosity will help us provide support to those most affected by the tragedy and honor the lives of our three slain fellow Wahoos, Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry,” said Lily West, president and CEO of the UVA Alumni Association, which administers the fund.

EG GROUP RAISES $647,000 FOR DAV

EG Group raised $647,000 in its 2022 campaign to support Disabled American Veterans (DAV), surpassing previous years’ totals. Customers were encouraged to donate when they visited any of EG Group’s 1,700+ convenience stores, including Cumberland Farms, Certified Oil, Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf N’ Jug, Minit Mart, Quik Shop, Sprint Food Stores, Tom Thumb and Turkey Hill. In December, EG America leadership presented a check to Third Junior Vice Commander and Marine Veteran Coleman Yee of DAV, the national nonprofit dedicated to empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity.

MAVERIK DONATES OVER $470,000 TO FEEDING AMERICA

Maverik—Adventure’s First Stop donated $471,397 to Feeding America, thanks to funds raised by customers and employees who rounded up their cash and credit transactions to the nearest dollar or more at Maverik stores across 12 states. Maverik also made a direct donation of $50,000 to kick off the campaign. Maverik’s donation will be distributed to Feeding America member food banks across 12 western states where Maverik operates. The remaining donation will support national strategies to help Feeding America address hunger in America. “We are overwhelmed by the kindness of our customers and team members this year!” said Chuck Maggelet, president and chief adventure guide of Maverik. “With record-high food prices and many turning to food banks this season, it’s an amazing feeling to help make an impact through this contribution and donations through our food waste reduction program.” Maverik’s food waste reduction program has so far donated over 492,000 pounds of surplus food, helping to provide over 410,000 meals. The program is running in more than 90 stores in five states, and Maverik plans to expand it throughout its operating states.