“JDRF is the leader in funding type one diabetes research, and Wawa stands behind its mission to find a cure,” says Wawa president.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Eastern Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter has announced and Wawa as the 2011 Honoree for its annual black-tie gala, the Promise Ball, themed “Keeping the Promise.”

The Promise Ball is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 2011.

Stoeckel has served as president and CEO as well as vice-chairman of the Board of Directors of Wawa Inc. since 2005, but has been working for Wawa for more than 20 years.

Through the years, Stoeckel has supported the efforts of dedicated associates for various causes, including, JDRF, for whom Wawa has raised more than $3 million for research.

In addition to his philanthropic initiatives through Wawa, Stoeckel also serves on the boards of various organizations, including, Amerigas Propane Inc. and Rider University.

“As many as three million Americans are living with type one diabetes currently; that is three million Americans at risk for blindness, kidney failure, stroke, heart attack and many more devastating complications.

“JDRF is the leader in funding type one diabetes research, and Wawa stands behind its mission to find a cure. I am so proud of the Wawa team and the many associates who give their all to help raise awareness and funds to help find a cure,” said Stoeckel.

Promise Ball co-chairs, Terri Malenfant and Eileen Bookbinder are certain this year’s Promise Ball will be a tremendous success. “We are thrilled to be working with Stoeckel and his team at Wawa; their professionalism coupled with their desire to give back is what will make this year’s Ball, the most successful to date,” stated Malenfant.