Tanks of Thanks program recognizes 10 individuals for making a difference in their communities.

In every community across the country, there are people selflessly taking the time to help others. It is the small and often random acts of kindness that can make a difference in a community and in the lives of the people who live there.

Although these contributions often go unnoticed, they are never unappreciated and deserve recognition. This month, the Cenex Tanks of Thanks program will reward 10 deserving individuals with free fuel for a year as recognition for contributions to their communities.

The Cenex Tanks of Thanks program, offered by CHS, encourages people to nominate others for free fuel as a way to recognize and reward the good deeds of others. Since the program began three years ago, more than 14,000 people have been nominated and more than $400,000 in free fuel has been awarded.

Earlier this month, 10 people were randomly selected from the Tanks of Thanks nominations to receive free fuel for one year. The reward will be provided in the form of Tanks of Thanks gift cards, valued at more than $2,000, and are redeemable at any Cenex location. Recipients will also receive a case of Cenex Maxtron PCMO 5W-30 engine oil.

“CHS and Cenex retailers have been so inspired by the thousands of stories told through the Tanks of Thanks program that we wanted to do something extra special to kick off the program’s fourth year,” explained Akhtar Hussain, CHS refined fuels brand marketing manager. “We realize that the Tanks of Thanks program does more than give away free fuel. It empowers people and it empowers communities.”

According to Hussain, this special one-time giveaway is in addition to the $50 Cenex gas cards given to 100 recipients every month through Tanks of Thanks. The program encourages people to nominate friends, family and neighbors for free fuel as a way to say thank you for doing good in the community. “Nominating someone for Tanks of Thanks is easy, and anyone can nominate or be nominated for any act of kindness — big or small,” he said.

Tanks of Thanks nominees selected as recipients of the free fuel for a year giveaway include:

• Carolyn Hess of Bellevue, Neb., was nominated for her commitment to the Hospice House in Omaha. Once a week since 2008, Hess helps bake as many as 800 cookies that she delivers and donates to hospice residents.

• Dennis Braley of Grand Forks, N.D., was nominated for volunteering at the VA clinic every week—installing flags at the cemetery to honor fallen veterans and creating handmade plaques featuring the insignia of the five branches of the military.

• Jay Hrdlicka of Evansville, Wis., was nominated for his dedication to young athletes in his community. Hrdlicka spends hours coaching football, baseball, weight training and conditioning, in addition to fundraising for various student events.

• Linda Mac of Mulvane, Kan., was nominated for volunteering her time to help elementary schoolchildren learn to read. She uses a special technique of writing each child a personalized story to help them connect to the text.

• Sadie Shuck of Hinton, Iowa, was nominated for finding time as a busy college student to volunteer as a volleyball coach for a team of eighth graders.

• Bob Kohl of Lino Lakes, Minn., was nominated for volunteering at an inner-city youth organization—serving dinner, tutoring students and providing rides when needed.

• DiAnna Decker of Huron, S.D., was nominated for volunteering to teach English as a second language to residents who are new to this country and her community.

• Cami Robson of Clancy, Mont., was nominated for volunteering for numerous community programs, including Friends of the Library, the Cub Scout troop and the baseball league. She also plans and manages Clancy Days, an annual celebration of the community and its history.

• Susie Powers of Springfield, Mo., was nominated for volunteering her time with the clothing bank for Springfield Public Schools—providing clean, gently used clothing to needy families whose children are on free or reduced lunch.

• Kim Kokko of Medical Lake, Wash., was nominated for providing rides for senior citizens who need to get to an appointment but cannot drive themselves.

To make a nomination, visit TanksofThanks.com and briefly describe why someone deserves a Tank of Thanks.