Exceeds original goal by $2,000 thanks to the generosity of c-store customers and team members.

Golden Pantry Food Stores Inc. raised $25,000 selling Make-A-Wish Stars and donated the proceeds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation this week.

The Athens, Ga.-based convenience store chain’s 39 locations, which are spread across Georgia, are proud to have come together to contribute to their communities in such an impactful way.

Golden Pantry originally had a goal of raising $23,000 in 2015, but exceeded that mark by $2,000, due to the tremendous generosity of its customers and team members.

The family-owned business celebrated its 50th year of service in July of 2015, and its commitment to its communities is a key component that has allowed the chain’s sustainability.

“We were thrilled with the outpouring of support from both our customers and team members,” said Brian Griffith, president of Golden Pantry. “Without them we would not have been able to raise $25,000 for such a wonderful cause.”

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that uses donations to help children who are “diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.”

The money is used to help eligible children create a wish and then create that wish so that the child can experience it. The hope of Make-A-Wish is to “create an unforgettable experience” that will impact that child’s life for good.