Donations from Stripes Convenience Stores to 4-H in Texas, neighboring states now exceeds $800,000
KILLEEN – Texas Operation: Military Kids has another reason to be thankful this season due to a recent $10,000 donation from Stripes Convenience Stores as a result of a two-month-long fundraising effort by the company, according to Texas Military 4-H program officials.
The contribution was made possible through Stripes’ donation of a portion of the proceeds from consumer purchases of limited-edition Red Bull “Camo Can” drinks from July 28 to Sept. 28 at any of their stores in Texas, said David Wright, Texas 4-H Military program director based in Temple.
The presentation of a ceremonial check was made to Texas Operation: Military Kids representatives during the Grand Opening Fiesta and Ribbon Cutting ceremony Nov. 21 at Stripe’s first convenience store in Killeen, located adjacent to the Fort Hood military installation.
“We would like to thank Stripes for being an outstanding corporate citizen and launching this project, giving Texas Operation: Military Kids financial support that will help enhance this program that benefits military kids,” Wright said. “The funds will help us continue the framework of our programs, which support Texas military youth and children through leadership development, health and fitness, arts, recreation, and academic mentoring and intervention.”
Wright said Texas Operation: Military Kids is the U.S. Army’s collaborative effort with the National Guard, Army Reserves, and statewide communities to support children and youth affected by a military deployment.
“Its goal is to connect military children and youth who are geographically dispersed with local resources so they may achieve a greater sense of community and well-being,” he said.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, an agency of the Texas A&M University System, administers Texas 4-H Youth Development programs and activities, including the Texas 4-H Military Program.
According to Jana Barrett, Texas 4-H Foundation development relations coordinator at College Station, Stripes also had a fundraising alliance from 2010-2013 in conjunction with the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation. In this effort, Stripes customers participated by purchasing a 4-H clover cutout or “mobile” for $1. In return, they received a coupon or special pricing on a selected store item in any of the more than 570 Stripes stores in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Through this four-year effort, the company raised $792,000 for 4-H.
The Stripes website states that Stripes Convenience Stores “focuses on charitable efforts exclusively on programs designed to enhance the health and education of youth residing in the communities served by the company.”
“Funds are used to benefit 4-H locally in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico counties where the stores are located,” Barrett explained. “These funds have been used to help counties with their leadership training efforts and to help youth attend leadership camps and present workshops, purchase needed equipment, pay registration expenses for 4-H contest participation, as well as support various 4-H programs and activities.”
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