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CountryMark system raises $31K for National Guard
CountryMark's Fueling Freedom event on June 28 raised more than $31,000 to support local National Guard soldiers and their families.
In Greencastle, this means $1,500 presented to the National Guard from funds raised at the local station at 1203 Bloomington St.
The local event included having soldiers on hand to interact with customers, along with a large military vehicle for kids to see and touch.
"We get really excited about this event because it is our opportunity to give back to local National Guard soldiers and their families, as well as spend time with the communities we serve," said CountryMark Vice President of Marketing Jon Lantz. "We just get so much out of this day."
Some 29 CountryMark-branded fuel stations in Indiana and Ohio participated in CountryMark's Fueling Freedom program, where CountryMark and local branded dealers agreed to donate a dollar for every gallon of lubricants sold and 50 cents for every gallon of fuel pumped to the local National Guard. This is the fourth year CountryMark and CountryMark branded dealers have hosted Fueling Freedom. Sales this year were up 64 percent from last year, as a result of more stations participating and more customers purchasing CountryMark fuels and lubricants.
"The support for Fueling Freedom this year was just tremendous," said CountryMark Retail Manager Gary Barrett. "We feel fortunate to live and work in communities where people come out to support their local soldiers."
Jackson Jennings Co-op was one of the CountryMark branded dealers that participated in this year's Fueling Freedom event. Jackson Jennings' Fueling Freedom team increased fuel and lubricant sales at their four participating fuel stations by 22 percent compared to the previous year.
"We had a goal to increase sales by 5 percent and with the kind of community support we had that day, we far exceeded our goal and our expectations," said Jackson Jennings Retail Manager Jerry Boger. "It makes you proud to live in these communities, where people honor American troops."
During the Fueling Freedom events, CountryMark employees and CountryMark branded dealers stood side-by-side with local National Guard troops pumping All-American fuel.
In just five hours, workers pumped 61,334 gallons of CountryMark fuel and sold an additional 153 gallons of CountryMark Advantage Lubricants. Workers filled cars, trucks, motorcycles and RVs.
Of the 29 participating CountryMark stations, the Liberty, Indiana, fuel station led with 4,538 gallons pumped during the Fueling Freedom event.
"We just had tremendous support from our community," said Randy Fields, the Union County Co-op General Manager and site coordinator for the Liberty CountryMark fueling station. "Our eight gas pumps and three diesel islands were full all day long."
The Friends of the Military were also on hand during the CountryMark-sponsored events talking with customers about the support they give to the families of deployed troops. Countless customers threw the change from their fuel purchases in donation boxes. In just five hours, the participating communities raised $1,905 additional dollars to support American troops and their families.
"It was a great day," said White River Co-op Petroleum Department Manager Mike Riggins. "All-American soldiers and all-American fuels."
Jon Lantz of CountryMark agreed.
"It was a wonderful opportunity for us to share with the community our unique story about how CountryMark fuels are made from 100 percent American crude oil," said Lantz. "We start with Illinois Basin crude oil. We refine the crude oil at our farmer-owned refinery in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, and deliver it to communities throughout the Midwest in the form of high quality gasoline and diesel fuels. It's energy security. It's American jobs. It's a great American success story."
CountryMark branded dealers who participated in the Fueling Freedom events included: AgBest, Ceres Solutions, Co-Alliance, Jackson Jennings Co-op, Laughery Valley, Premier Companies, Shelby County Co-op, Superior Ag Resources, United Energy, Union County Co-op and White River Co-op.
The donations from the each participating Fueling Freedom site were given to the Family Readiness Programs at the National Guard unit closest to the fueling station. Family Readiness Programs support National Guard soldiers and their families.
"Our Family Readiness Group uses our dollars for an annual Christmas party for soldiers and their spouses," said James Eckerty, the commander at the Jasper National Guard. "When we deploy troops, it is important for military families to feel connected and supported by other military families. Events, like our Christmas party, strengthen relationship that help our families and are troops succeed."