Pilot Convenience Stores presented a donation of $73,000 to the MDA of Greater East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia on Friday, Sept. 2, from money raised through the sale of paper green shamrocks during the Shamrocks Against Dystrophy campaign, as well as from a Pilot-sponsored golf tournament to benefit MDA.
Representatives of the organization accepted the donation at the Pilot Convenience Store at 8541 Middlebrook Pike. The paper shamrocks were sold to customers in all Knoxville-area Pilot Convenience Store locations during the month of March.
“Pilot is proud to consistently support the MDA of Greater East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia,” said Dan Fleming, vice president of operations for Pilot Convenience Stores. “Our company headquarters is located in Knoxville, and we are dedicated to helping the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful for our loyal customers who make these donations possible by giving monetarily and participating in the golf tournament.
“The Muscular Dystrophy Association provides invaluable services to families across the region, and we are honored to partner with such an important and vital organization.”
This is the 31st year that Pilot has offered the local fundraising program, and this year’s sale of paper shamrocks, along with sponsorship of the golf tournament, resulted in the total of $73,000.
“Each dollar that is donated through the purchase of shamrocks goes to fund important programs that serve individuals and families in our 39-county service area, such as summer camps, clinical visits and occupational therapy,” said Teresa Underwood, executive director for the MDA of Greater East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
“We are so grateful for the generosity of the Pilot Convenience Stores customers who purchased shamrocks and played golf and especially grateful to Pilot for helping facilitate this substantial gift to our organization.”
About Pilot
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Pilot operates 40 convenience stores in Tennessee. For more information about Pilot, visit www.pilotflyingj.com.
About MDA
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 East Tennessee and SW Virginia. Learn how you can fund cures, find care and champion the cause at mda.org.