Saunders Oil and CITGO Raise Funds to Support Local Schools

Money Will Buy New Books for Schools in Wisconsin and Illinois

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Dec 06, 2011, 02:15 ET

DARLINGTON, Wis., Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Wisconsin- and Illinois-based CITGO Marketer, Saunders Oil, and CITGO Petroleum Corporation recently launched the Saunders Oil "Be a Star. Buy a Star." campaign to support Wisconsin- and Illinois-area schools. From Thursday, Dec. 1 through Friday, Dec. 16, participating CITGO stations are selling "Stars" for $1 each. All of the proceeds will go toward new books for school libraries at five local elementary schools. The goal is to raise $1,000 during the campaign, which will allow Saunders Oil and CITGO to donate 350 books.

"All of our local school districts are battling budget cuts. We wanted to find a way to ensure that the schools have the tools they need to help kids fall in love with reading," said Karlene Saunders, secretary and general manager of Saunders Oil. "I hear from our customers about the challenges the schools are having, and we wanted to provide a solution. A single dollar can go much farther than people realize."

Through the Saunders Oil "Be a Star. Buy a Star." program, local CITGO customers can show their appreciation and support for five local schools: Riverdale Elementary School in Muscoda, Wis.; Darlington Elementary in Darlington, Wis.; Southwestern Elementary in Hazel Green, Wis.; Shullsburg Elementary in Shullsburg, Wis.; and Stockton Elementary in Stockton, Ill.

"In such trying times, every bit of help can make a difference. I speak for the teachers and the students when I say that we are all so thankful for the help of Saunders Oil, CITGO and, of course, the wonderful people in our community," said Dr. Denise Wellnitz, school district curriculum director. "Without basic supplies like these books, the road to education becomes very difficult to navigate. But, thanks to the help of everyone involved in the 'Be a Star. Buy a Star.' campaign, our kids are going to have exciting new opportunities to expand their horizons and imaginations."

In addition to the "Be a Star. Buy a Star." fundraising effort, the participating stations will offer a series of activities for customers, including coloring contests and book readings at these participating locations:

Muscoda Mini Mart
102 North Wisconsin Avenue, Muscoda, WI 53573
Darlington Mini Mart
11981 State Road 23, Darlington, WI 53530
Southwest Mart
3525 North Percival Street, Hazel Green, WI 53811
Miner Towne Mart
101 Miner Way, Shullsburg, WI 53586
Stockton Travel Center
601 E North Ave # 2, Stockton, IL 61085

CITGO is committed to giving back to the local communities it serves through its network of locally owned CITGO stations. Local CITGO Marketers and Retailers in Wisconsin and Illinois own and operate more than 750 CITGO locations and are proud to support their local organizations. For more information on the positive impact of the locally owned CITGO stations in your community, visit www.CITGO.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 Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.

SOURCE CITGO Petroleum Corporation