Local CITGO Marketers Raise Money During Third Annual "Month Of Mott"

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Six local CITGO Marketers representing more than 150 locally owned CITGO stations across Southeast Michigan participated in the third annual "Month of Mott" campaign, raising nearly $5,500 for the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. From May 1 through May 23, participating CITGO stations sold paper "Mott blocks" for $1. All of the proceeds from this year's campaign were donated to the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital car seat safety program called "Mott Buckle Up!"

"Over the course of the past three years, we have developed a wonderful relationship with CITGO and its network of Michigan-based Marketers. We are so grateful to everyone involved in raising funds and awareness for C.S. Mott," said Gene Skidmore, development partner at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

This is the third year that local CITGO Marketers, including Atlas Oil Company, Barrick Enterprises, Bazzi Oil, Corrigan Oil Company, Dandy Oil Company and Tri-Lakes Petroleum, have raised money for C.S. Mott.

"Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of injury-related admissions for us. Through our 'Mott Buckle Up!' program, we hope to encourage best practices when installing and maintaining a car seat," added Amber Kroeker, injury prevention health educator at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. "An estimated 85% of car seats are used incorrectly, and we are doing our best to reduce that number." 

Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. The goal of the "Mott Buckle Up!" program is to increase awareness of the risks associated with motor vehicle crashes while promoting proper car seat use. The program provides on-site appointments and consultations, educational sessions, car seat distribution and community engagement.

"Everyone in Southeast Michigan knows C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and the good work it does for children from Michigan and around the world," said Bob Barrick, president of Barrick Enterprises, one of the participating CITGO Marketers. "It is a beacon of hope and health and we were honored to team up with our loyal customers to help C.S. Mott save children's lives through its car seat safety program."

Since 1903, the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital has led the way in providing comprehensive, specialized health care for children. From leading-edge heart surgery that's performed in the womb to complete emergency care that's there when you need it, families from all over come to the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital for our pediatric expertise. In 2013, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital was ranked eighth in the nation in Parents Magazine's 10 Best Children's Hospitals ranking. To learn more, go to www.mottchildren.org.

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 Michigan, such as Atlas, Barrick, Bazzi and Corrigan, own and operate more than 300 CITGO locations and are proud to support local organizations, including the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

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 about CITGO, visit www.CITGO.com.

SOURCE CITGO Petroleum Corporation