Plymouth, Mass.-based Rapid Refill/Garrett’s Family Market is celebrating hometown heroes and joining other convenience retailers and suppliers across the country to celebrate 24/7 Day.
Held every July 24, 24/7 Day recognizes first responders, medical personnel and Red Cross volunteers who work around the clock to serve their communities 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The annual event, hosted by the NACS Foundation, helps raise awareness and donations for the urgent humanitarian needs of the Red Cross and spotlights the convenience store industry’s important role in supporting hometown heroes.
Convenience stores are community stores: 93% of Americans live within 10 minutes a convenience store. There are150,000-plus convenience stores in the United States, and cumulatively, the industry serves 165 million customers per day, sells 80% of the fuel purchased in the country and donates more than $1 billion a year to charitable causes.
Rapid Refill/Garrett’s Family Market is supporting this year’s 24/7 Day by:
- One free 28-ounce Gatorade beverage any flavor at any Garrett’s Family Market or Rapid Refill anytime on July 24, to police, fire, EMTs, doctors, nurses, American Red Cross, National Guard and 911 dispatchers in uniform or with a badge.
- Encouraging community members to take part by sharing real stories and appreciation for hometown heroes on social media using the hashtag #WeHeartHeroes.
People are impacted by emergencies every day, including the communities that Rapid Refill/Garrett’s Family Market serves:
- On average, more than 30,000 people a day receive assistance from the Red Cross, whether they need lifesaving blood, relief after a disaster, support with the challenges of military life, skills that save lives or international humanitarian aid.
- Every Red Cross donation helps change lives, and an average of 90 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need.
“Each day, families rely on community heroes for support during disasters and other crises,” said Don Herring, chief development officer for the American Red Cross. “That’s why we are grateful for this partnership to help ensure people don’t face emergencies alone. We hope others will join us on 24/7 Day, along with the NACS Foundation, to support this work and to thank our local heroes who help when it’s needed most.”
Stephanie Sikorski, executive director at the NACS Foundation, said convenience stores are often seen as the first supporters to first responders, serving as the only locations that remain open in a crisis to ensure fuel, food and other necessities are available for emergency workers and customers as they return to normalcy.
“That’s why the NACS Foundation honors first responders and is committed to amplifying our industry’s reach and impact of its charitable efforts in the communities they serve 24/7,” said Sikorski.
NACS Foundation is the 501(c)3 charitable arm of NACS, the industry association dedicated to advancing convenience and fuel retailing. In partnership with fuel retail, convenience, and suppliers across the U.S., the NACS Foundation supports the philanthropic and charitable activities of the industry. To learn more, visit conveniencecares.org.
Garrett’s Family Market and Rapid Refill convenience stores are a part of the Volta Oil family of brands that offer a safe and secure environment for employees and customers alike.