Mar. 04, 2015
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Anne LeZotte, Pilot Flying J
Communications Manager
Office: 865-474-3028
Email: [email protected]
Lauren Miller, Moxley Carmichael
Office: 865-544-0088
Email: [email protected]
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KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (March 4, 2015) – Pilot Food Marts presented a donation today of $30,000 to The Salvation Army from money raised during the annual Red Kettle Campaign.
“Many people think of The Salvation Army and the red kettles in the month of December,” said Dan Fleming, vice president of operations for Pilot Food Marts. “But the reality is that The Salvation Army does important work throughout the year. These contributions from our great customers will support their ongoing efforts to serve our community, and all of us at Pilot are honored to contribute to the organization’s mission.”
Officials from Pilot Food Marts present a check for $30,000 to The Salvation Army. Funding was raised by Pilot customers who supported the Red Kettle Campaign during the month of December. Pictured from left: Rob Link, director of community relations for The Salvation Army; Major Albert Villafuerte, area commander for The Salvation Army; Johnny Rhodes, general manager of the 410 Merchant Drive store; Keith Maner, Pilot’s marketing manager; and Allison Smith, Pilot operations and marketing specialist.
The check presentation to representatives of The Salvation Army was made at the Pilot Food Mart at 410 Merchant Drive in Knoxville.
Funds were raised through the sale of paper red kettles, which were sold at all Knoxville-area Pilot Food Marts for $1 during the 2014 holiday season. Since it began in 2008, the Red Kettle Campaign has raised more than $250,000 for The Salvation Army. Donations are used to assist community members in need.
“Each dollar that is donated through the purchase of red kettles goes to fund important programs that serve individuals and families in our community,” said Major Albert Villafuerte, area commander for The Salvation Army in Knoxville. “Thanks to the generosity of Pilot and its customers, our work in the fields of emergency assistance, disaster relief and providing food and shelter for men, women and children will continue on an even greater scale.”
About Pilot Food Marts
Established in 1958, Pilot Food Marts operates 40 convenience stores in Tennessee. Pilot Food Marts employ 400 people and are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information about Pilot, visit www.pilotflyingj.com.
About Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for over 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar spent is used to carry out those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org.
