CITGO Receives 2018 Texas Governor's Volunteer Award

HOUSTON, Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2018 Texas Governor's Volunteer Corporate Community Impact Award was recently granted to TeamCITGO, the employee-driven volunteer organization of CITGO Petroleum Corporation. Recognizing businesses that make a positive impact in their communities and across the state through service and volunteering, CITGO was honored along with other Volunteer Awards recipients at an evening reception on October 15 at the Texas Governor's Mansion. The award was originally announced on Aug. 15 by First Lady Cecilia Abbott, the Honorary Chair of the 2018 Awards.

"There is nothing more powerful than Texans helping Texans," Abbott said. "Whether it is through everyday volunteering and giving, or by responding to the most disastrous storm in our state's history, Texans can always be depended on to answer the call to help their neighbors. This year's Governor's Volunteer Award winners are an inspiration to us all."

In the aftermath of last year's devastating Hurricane Harvey, CITGO and its employees launched the "Fueling Good. Rebuilding Lives." initiative, which is dedicated to recovery in the wake of the storm. CITGO has committed $10.9 million to storm recovery over the next three years, rebuilding homes and providing relief throughout Texas. Additionally, CITGO matches contributions that employees give to 501(c)3 organizations of their choosing, giving TeamCITGO members the means to amplify their own generosity.

But the community support goes far beyond dollars and cents. In 2017, TeamCITGO volunteers collectively donated 9,755 hours of community service in Texas and Southwestern Louisiana. Together with community partners such as Rebuilding Together Houston, Greater Houston Community Foundation, Coastal Bend Community Foundation in Corpus Christi, and Habitat for Humanity of Rockport, TeamCITGO helped rebuild homes, deliver disaster relief supplies and staff storm shelters.

"We are immensely proud of TeamCITGO for jumping into action when their communities needed it most," said Rafael Gomez, CITGO Vice President Government and Public Affairs. "Texas is our home and – at CITGO – we are first and foremost dedicated to giving back to the communities where we live and work. We are humbled and grateful to be recognized for this achievement, but the work isn't over. There is still significant work to be done to rebuild our communities and we're dedicated to being there every step of the way." 

TeamCITGO was founded more than 30 years ago with the purpose of making a difference throughout the CITGO operational footprint. Through volunteerism, TeamCITGO carries out the CITGO mission by improving the quality of life in each local community served. Other notable initiatives from the Houston-based TeamCITGO in 2017 include 13 STEM events, five Caring for our Coast Events, and support for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the American Heart Association.

About CITGO

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 48 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,400 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 749,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the sixth-largest, and 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 5,200 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation 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.

SOURCE CITGO