CITGO Commits $25,000 to Florida Disaster Relief Efforts Following Hurricane Debby

HOUSTON, Aug. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida's Big Bend as a Category 1 storm, leaving millions of people without power while dealing with the aftermath. In response, CITGO is supporting local disaster relief efforts across affected communities with a $25,000 donation to Team Rubicon. Funds are set to be used for debris removal, chainsaw operations, roof tarping, and mucking and gutting out homes.

"With our recent experience with Hurricane Beryl in the Houston area, we understand what our neighbors in Florida are experiencing right now and we want to help with the recovery," said Chris Kiesling, CITGO Assistant Vice President of Light Oils Operations and Marketing. "We have a longstanding relationship with the people of Florida and the response efforts in Perry will help them restore their homes and businesses as soon as possible."

Ware Oil and Supply Company, a 34-year CITGO branded marketer headquartered in Perry, Fla., is an integral part of the Big Bend fuel distribution network, supplying the North Florida and South Georgia region with wholesale fuels, specialty fuels, and lubricants. "It's a great relief to have Team Rubicon helping our communities right now and we also know that wouldn't be possible without CITGO, a great partner in business and a great partner in our community," said Don Everett Jr., President of Ware Oil and Supply.

CITGO recently received the Above and Beyond Award from the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association (FPMA) for its industry and community assistance dating back to Hurricane Charlie in 2004. "Supporting our communities in good times and bad is part of our DNA," continued Kiesling, "and we thank FPMA for recognizing our efforts to help ensure our customers such as Ware Oil and CITGO consumers across the state get back to normal."

About Team Rubicon

Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Founded following the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the organization has grown to more than 175,000 volunteers across the United States and has launched over 1,200 operations domestically and internationally. To drive equity across disaster and humanitarian services, Team Rubicon focuses on three areas of impact: disaster services- from mitigation to immediate response to recovery; rebuild services — maintaining the fabric of communities through resilient building methods; and international services- providing emergent and surge medical services, WASH, and disaster risk reduction. The organization is featured in the Roku original series titled Team Rubicon, which highlights the work of Greyshirt volunteers assisting communities across the country. Visit http://www.teamrubiconusa.org for more information.

About CITGO

CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry and operates under the well-known CITGO brand. CITGO owns and operates three refineries located in Lake Charles, La.; Lemont, Ill.; and Corpus Christi, Texas, and wholly and/or jointly owns 42 active terminals, eight pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,600 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 807,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO ranks as the fifth-largest and is one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products, and supplies a network of approximately 4,000 locally owned and independently operated branded retail outlets, all located east of the Rocky Mountains.

CITGO is dedicated to supporting communities in times of need. Through strategic partnerships and generous donations, we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by natural disasters and other crises. For more information on this commitment, please visit https://www.citgo.com/responsibility.

SOURCE CITGO Petroleum Corporation