CITGO Celebrates 30th Anniversary of National Partnership with MDA

HOUSTON, June 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CITGO Petroleum Corporation and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) are celebrating a 30-year partnership that has raised nearly $200 million for the nonprofit health organization since the two began working together in January 1986. As MDA's largest corporate sponsor, CITGO and its employees, along with its network of locally-owned Marketers and Retailers, will celebrate this milestone all year long through fundraisers and various community and employee events.

"We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support that CITGO, its employees, and Marketers and Retailers have provided MDA for the past 30 years," said MDA President & CEO Steven Derks. "CITGO has set the standard in fueling the fight to find treatments and cures for neuromuscular diseases that severely limit strength and mobility. We look forward to our continued partnership so we can help MDA families live longer and grow stronger."

CITGO kicked off the year of celebration by contributing to each local MDA office where its annual Marketer Roundtable Meetings were held within the company's marketing footprint. In addition to providing funds for 19 local offices during these meetings, the company also recognized those Marketers who raised more than $5,000 for their respective local MDA office throughout 2015. 

Continuing throughout the year, CITGO employees, Marketers and Retailers will host multiple fundraisers and sponsor a number of local events including the following:

• CITGO corporate employees participated in a Rally Week at corporate headquarters in May and will partake in a picnic along with the annual MDA Flamingo Bowl fundraiser in October. In addition, CITGO held its annual MDA Corporate Golf Challenge in April with business partners and vendors.

• CITGO terminal and refinery employees raise funds each year for MDA. Both the Corpus Christi and Lake Charles Refineries will host golf tournaments in May, and the Lemont Refinery hosted a bowling event for Valentine's  Day along with its own golf tournament later in the summer. The terminal employees will organize separate fundraising events, including walks, golf tournaments, letter writing and donation jar campaigns.

• CITGO Marketers and Retailers continued their participation in the MDA Shamrocks program which was held in February and March. They will also continue to host local events throughout the year.

"MDA shares a long history with CITGO and many of our branded Marketers. Our relationship has expanded over the years, and has since become an integral part of our corporate social responsibility and Fueling Good platforms," said Rick Esser, Vice President, Supply and Marketing for CITGO. "Locally, working with MDA is a great way for our nearly 5,500 locally-owned stations to get involved in their communities, and on a corporate level, our employees can rally around and support this important cause."

To learn more about MDA and how you can get involved, visit www.mda.org. For more about the partnership between CITGO and the MDA, visit www.citgo.com.

About MDA

MDA is leading the fight to free individuals — and the families who love them — from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life. We use our collective strength to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger by finding research breakthroughs across diseases; caring for individuals from day one; and empowering families with services and support in hometowns across America. Learn how you can fund cures, find care and champion the cause at mda.org.

About CITGO 
CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by CITGO Holding, 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 Corporation