Duchess employees and customers partner with the American Red Cross to raise money for the local chapter.

Duchess, an operator of gas stations and convenience stores in Ohio and West Virginia, partnered with the American Red Cross to promote Red Cross month at its sites during the month of March.

Throughout the month of March customers were able to purchase $1, $2 or $5 icons at the chain’s 122 Duchess sites; all donations collected went directly to the local chapters of the American Red Cross. Wrigley also jumped on board and a portion of the proceeds of Big Red gum sales went to the Red Cross as well. Duchess raised just over $50,460 for the Red Cross in the 31-day campaign.

According to Ashley DeWitt, director of marketing for Duchess, the company was excited for its second year doing the customer donation program with this organization, because “we have always been a supporter of the American Red Cross. It is nice to join forces to raise money for such a great cause. Knowing the money we raise will be used in our own communities for disaster relief is a great feeling. We have our wonderful employees and customers to thank for the success of this campaign.”

Donations that were made at Duchess during the month of March will fund critical programs of the American Red Cross, including disaster relief, emergency messaging facilitated by Service to the Armed Forces and Community Preparedness Education, among others. The mission of the Red Cross is carried out by a workforce that is made up of 94% volunteers, fueled by the generosity of donors.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Duchess and their customers,” said Matt Bertram, CEO, Ohio Buckeye Region. “People in our community count on the Red Cross to help them in their darkest hour. The generosity of these customers makes it possible for us to provide disaster relief services—including food, shelter and emotional support—to our neighbors when they need it most.”

Earlier this year, the Ohio Buckeye Region launched Project Prepare, a two-year initiative that seeks to prepare a half million Ohio residents by making emergency plans, building kits and getting trained ahead of disasters. The goal is to create more resilient communities that are better equipped to help each other prevent, prepare for and respond to life-threatening emergencies.

For more information on how to prepare for emergencies, people can visit redcross.org/oh/columbus/project-prepare.