North Carolina CITGO Stores Urge Community Support for Local Red Cross Chapter

LAURINBURG, N.C., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Nine locally owned CITGO stations in Robeson and Scotland Counties, North Carolina are supporting the local Red Cross chapter through fundraising efforts and two community blood drives. From Aug. 3 to Sep. 6, these CITGO stations are selling $1 paper blood droplets to raise money for the many community, disaster, military and health assistance programs provided by the local Red Cross chapter. On August 23, nearly 80 people made blood donations at two Red Cross blood drives in Red Springs and Laurinburg. The blood drives collected a total of 69 pints of whole blood which has the potential to save more than 200 lives.

"I have been involved with the Red Cross in North Carolina for many years, giving blood and supporting local programs," said Johnny Robertson, general manager with Red Springs, N.C.-based CITGO marketer John's Fuel Service. "Their commitment to ensuring a safe and healthy community helped detect a potentially life-threatening disease that I didn't know I had. I will be forever thankful for this, and the wealth of programs they undertake every day to support local people in our area, particularly the military families. By making a donation, no matter how big or small, everyone can help our community thrive."

Mr. Robertson hopes to raise more than $10,000 during the month-long campaign. People are invited to make a donation by purchasing a $1 paper Red Cross blood droplet every time they visit one of the nine participating CITGO stations. With every $1 donation, consumers will also be entered into a drawing for a $25 CITGO gift card. Collection jars are also on the counters for people to donate loose change or bills to the Red Cross. All money collected will go to the local American Red Cross chapter to support a wide range of health education, awareness, training and response programs for children, families and members of the military across the region.

In addition to collecting monetary donations, the local CITGO stations provided opportunities to sign up for the local Red Cross blood drives and distributed information on Red Cross programs. Two blood drives were held on Aug. 23 in honor of Mr. Robertson at the American Legion buildings in Red Spring and Laurinburg. Nearly 80 people from across the community registered to donate at the event and a total of 69 pints of whole blood was collected, breaking expectations by more than 25 percent. This blood will be used to help local people and has the potential to save more than 200 lives. As thanks for their support, two individuals won a $750 CITGO gift card courtesy of John's Fuel Service and CITGO Petroleum Corporation.

"The Red Cross provides a wealth of services to children, local families and members of the military, but we cannot operate without help from our communities," said Carol Ann Lentz, executive director of the Scotland County, N.C. chapter of the American Red Cross. "We are extremely grateful for Johnny Robertson and the local CITGO station operators for rallying the community in support of our programs, and for helping to educate their customers on the importance of donating blood. Thanks to this effort, we will be able to touch more lives and make our area stronger and healthier for years to come."

John's Fuel Service and participating local CITGO stations are joined in their efforts to raise money and collect blood for the American Red Cross by CITGO. In alignment with the social development principles of its shareholder, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, CITGO supports the communities of the nearly 6,500 locally owned CITGO stations across 27 states and the District of Columbia, which makes up the CITGO network.

For details on the fundraising contact Johnny Robertson at (910) 843-5211 or visit a participating local CITGO station. For more information on the American Red Cross and the programs available across Scotland and Robeson Counties, visit www.scotlandcountyarc.org.

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 Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

For more information visit www.CITGO.com

SOURCE CITGO

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