GPM Investments, LLC Donates over $210,000 to MDA; Marks Conclusion of Successful December Icon Selling Campaign
February 15, 2016
RICHMOND, VA— For GPM Investments, LLC, the 2015 holiday season was once again the time to give back and support those in need. GPM’s highly successful MDA “icon” selling campaign raised an astounding $212,299, almost double the amount GPM stores raised in 2014. Funds will help save and improve the lives of people fighting muscle disease throughout the company’s store footprint. For every $800 raised, MDA will have the ability to send children who are dealing with muscle diseases to go to MDA summer camp. This year GPM stores are responsible for sending 265 children to MDA camp for a week of lifetime memories!
Throughout the month of December, nearly 700 GPM-owned convenience stores participated in the fundraiser in which customers purchased an MDA “icon” at check-out for a $1 contribution to help accelerate treatments and cures for muscle disease. Each customer who purchased an “icon” received 6 coupons as GPM’s way of saying “thank you,” for their customers’ generosity. All signed “icons,” were then prominently displayed in each store.
GPM executives Arie Kotler, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chris Giacobone, Chief Operating Officer, presented the generous check of $212,299 together at an area Fas Mart® convenience store to MDA Goodwill Ambassadors, Aaron and JD. Eight year old Aaron, a resident of Culpeper County, lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and JD, a resident of Prince William County, lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Both children are supported by local services provided by the MDA office.
“GPM Investments’ customers and employees have shown exceptional support for MDA families, like Aaron’s and JD’s, this season,” said Meg Hodges, Southeastern Chief Executive of MDA. “The generosity of each community and the help of local associates participating in this program is what enables MDA to fund ground-breaking research and provide critical services like clinics, summer camps, support groups and more to our families who are counting on us. This year’s fundraising success is critical to help all families living with muscle disease grow stronger and live longer.”
The cause hit close to home for GPM employee Jessica Garcia, store manager at a Richmond area Fas Mart store, whose late brother, Benjamin, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at an early age and was pleasantly surprised to learn of GPM’s involvement with MDA.
“I’m so glad to know my company supports such a great cause,” said Garcia. “MDA was a huge part of my brother’s life! He always spoke so highly of the friends he made and the support he received through MDA. He absolutely loved doing all he could to raise money for the cause and help out in any way he could.”
About GPM
GPM Investments, LLC, together with its subsidiaries, is one of the largest privately-owned companies in the convenience store channel of business. The company, based in Richmond, VA, operates or supplies over 750 stores in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. These convenience stores have a wide array of food offerings, a house blend of coffee, fountain and packaged beverages, a large selection of groceries, tobacco, alcohol, and personal care products.
To learn more about GPM, visit www.gpminvestments.com.
About the Muscular Dystrophy Association
MDA is leading the fight to free individuals — and the families who love them — from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life. We use our collective strength to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger by finding research breakthroughs across diseases; caring for individuals from day one; and empowering families with services and support in hometowns across America. Learn how you can fund cures, find care and champion the cause at mda.org.
To learn more about MDA, visit www.mda.org.
Released February 15, 2016