CITGO Fueling Good Project Helps Nine Non-Profit Organizations In Eight States

HOUSTON, Jan. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CITGO Petroleum Corporation is recognizing nine non-profits from eight states and the District of Columbia as Fueling Good Project winners,  each receiving $5,000 in CITGO Gift Cards to fuel good in their local communities. The organizations will use their awards for a wide range of activities, including transitional youth programs for children with severe chronic health conditions, helping patients with cancer or neuro-endocrine-immune diseases get to treatments, delivering books into rural communities and improving the lives of foster children.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140109/PH43587LOGO)

"One of the ways we put our values into action is by helping local heroes through the Fueling Good Project," said Gustavo Velasquez, vice president supply and marketing with CITGO. "Community support is part of our DNA and, along with our network of Marketers and Retailers who operate nearly 6,000 locally-owned CITGO locations, we're committed to giving back to the communities where we live and work. We are very proud to help these groups improve the lives of their neighbors."

More than 400 organizations entered the Fueling Good Project and more than 25,000 votes were cast by the public to select the nine finalists. The winning 501(c)(3) organizations provide services in one of four categories: Environmental Protection and Conservation; Education and Social Investment; Energy Assistance; and Health.

The following non-profits are the 2013 Fueling Good Project winners:

• Colors for a Cause – This organization provides financial assistance for travel and household expenses to Louisiana families with members battling cancer.
• PANDORA Org – This non-profit provides assistance and education for Michigan residents diagnosed with neuro-endocrine-immune diseases (NEIDs).
• Foster Angels – Based in Corpus Christi, the initiative improves the lives of foster children in South Texas by providing them with food and clothing and by assisting with tutoring and extra-curricular costs.
• Operation Migration – With a focus on protecting endangered whooping cranes, this organization guides captive-hatched cranes on their first migration from Wisconsin to Florida before they are released into the wild.
• Brainy Camps – Based in Washington, D.C., this organization provides residential summer camps, retreats, leadership training and transitional youth programs for children with severe chronic health conditions.
• Friends of the Columbia County Traveling Library – This group supports the Columbia County Traveling Library to bring books, audiobooks and DVDs to communities, preschools, senior centers and schools through fund raising activities such as used book sales, food sales, quilt raffles and membership dues.
• Onslow Soup Kitchen – This initiative cares for less fortunate citizens in Onslow County, N.C. through a soup kitchen, shelter and a free clinic.
• Spring Initiative After School Program – This organization serves students in rural Coahoma County, Miss. by working to promote greater educational achievement and confidence through scholastic support.
• To Write Love on Her Arms – This Melbourne, Fla.-based organization presents hope and finds help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.

Since 2009, the CITGO Fueling Good programs have rewarded more than 220 charities, further helping them to do good in their own communities. Visit www.FuelingGood.com for more information. For regular updates and to join the conversation, "Like" CITGO Fueling Good at www.Facebook.com/CITGOFuelingGood and view videos of past winners at www.youtube.com/CITGOFuelingGood.

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