CITGO and J.H. Williams Oil Company, Inc. Raise More than $14,000 for "Ride for Tye" Campaign to Help Child with Special Needs

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Joyce Sandy has been an accounting clerk at Tampa-based CITGO Marketer J.H. Williams Oil Company, Inc. for 13 years. She also has a special needs grandson, six-year-old Tye Kelly, who has mitochondrial disease, a muscle disease, and microcephaly, a neurodevelopmental disorder. Because of these conditions, Tye can't control his muscles or use his arms and legs. His parents needed a van to accommodate Tye's wheelchair when he goes to physical therapy and doctor appointments. That's where CITGO and J.H. Williams stepped in.

On Oct. 4, Channelside CITGO, owned and operated by J.H. Williams, raised funds during the "Ride for Tye" campaign. Customers at the station gave $4,357 through donations and sponsorships. These funds, combined with donations from CITGO, J.H. Williams and other corporate donors, totaled more than $14,000, enough money to purchase a new van for the family.

"We know that Joyce and her family have other things to worry about as they work to ensure that Tye has the best care possible. We were pleased to find a way to give some relief and support to Tye and his family with the purchase of the new van," said Hulon Williams, president of J.H. Williams. "We appreciate the generous donations from employees, customers, vendors and suppliers that helped us reach our goal for Tye, and encourage others to donate to this fund to help his family with other medical expenses."

The family is still accepting donations in the "Ride for Tye" campaign at https://www.gofundme.com/48kgp4#. Additional funds will be used for other, necessary medical equipment, such as a medical bed and chair and a floor pad.

"Our family is truly grateful for the support of the local community, CITGO, and J.H. Williams," said Joyce Sandy. "The new van will be life changing for Tye and our entire family. It will help ensure the best quality of life possible for him."

CITGO is committed to giving back to the local communities it serves through its network of nearly 6,000 locations. CITGO branded Marketers and Retailers in Florida like J.H. Williams own and operate more than 600 CITGO locations and are proud to support their communities. For more information on the positive impact of the locally owned CITGO stations, visit www.FuelingGood.com.

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.

SOURCE CITGO Petroleum

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