Irving Oil and New England Special Olympics Celebrate 15 Year Partnership - More than $2.8 Million Raised, Irving Oil Aims to Reach $3 Million This Year

PORTSMOUTH, NH, July 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - To celebrate 15 years as a Special Olympics partner, Irving Oil will be contributing a portion of its fuel sales from July 2 to August 5 to the Special Olympics chapters of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Vermont.  Fundraising campaigns within the stores will also be ongoing to raise additional funds.  Irving Oil's 2014 goal is to reach a donation total of $3 million.

"Irving Oil is pleased to be a part of New England Special Olympics again this year," says Darren Gillis, Chief Marketing Officer for Irving Oil.  "Our local teams participate in the onsite events at our locations and many of us attend the local state games.  Meeting Special Olympics athletes is always our favorite part of the sponsorship; their enthusiasm and drive make us want to do more every year."

Irving Oil and Circle K will also have designated sites throughout New England that will take part in "To Serve and Protect Day".  Special Olympics athletes and local law enforcement will come together to host an onsite event that will consist of washing windshields and pumping gas for customers while collecting donations for the Law Enforcement Torch Run (a relay run that brings the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics Summer Games).  "To Serve and Protect Day" will be held across the New England states on Saturday, July 26 from 10 AM - 2 PM.

"When the athletes and law enforcement come out to the site for the "To Serve and Protect Day", they really bring a sense of community with them," says Mary Conroy, President of Special Olympics New Hampshire.  "The customers see there is an event happening at the site and they really want to help out and be a part of the excitement.  It's a great way to wrap up the campaign and to add additional fundraising for the organizations."

About Irving Oil
Irving Oil is a privately-owned, increasingly global energy and marketing company that provides Eastern Canada and New England with high-quality products and customer service. Founded in 1924 and based in Saint John, New Brunswick, along with U.S. Sales & Operations based in Portsmouth, NH, Irving Oil maintains a strong tradition of committed community service and partnerships through programs in healthcare, the environment, education and sports. For more information about Irving Oil and its community programs, please visit us at www.irvingoil.com or follow us at facebook.com/irvingoil.

SOURCE Irving Oil