Through fundraising efforts at local stores and events throughout the state of Arizona, Circle K employees, customers and vendors generously helped raise a record $5.8 million for United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Central and Southern Arizona, and Opportunity Village in Las Vegas. The 2014 fundraising surpassed the previous year’s total by $500,000, representing a nearly 10 percent increase in charitable giving through the Circle K partnership with UCP. The funds donated support the organizations’ mission to help children and adults with disabilities, including down syndrome, autism, developmental delays, learning disabilities and cerebral palsy.
As an ongoing effort across the state, donations are collected 24 hours a day, every day, at Circle K stores throughout Arizona, where employees engage customers to donate extra change at the register to benefit families and children with disabilities. In addition to in-store fundraising, Circle K business partners participated in events such as UCP’s Desert Klassic Golf Tournament, which resulted in even more funds raised toward UCP’s important mission.
In an exciting effort to raise more donations around the clock for the community, Circle K announced a new way that customers can give to this important cause. This year, when using ATMs at more than 100 Circle K stores across the state, customers will now have the option to make an additional contribution to UCP. This added opportunity to contribute will raise even more critical resources for UCP children, adults and families.
“The support of Circle K, its employees, customers and vendors is inspiring. Circle K promotes a corporate culture that is deeply rooted in social responsibility, giving back to the community and making a positive difference in the lives of others,” said Armando Contreras, CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona, said. “UCP has been working in collaboration with Circle K for over 30 years, and with their help, literally thousands of children, adults and families have received the essential services they desperately need to enhance their quality of life.”
Circle K was recently acknowledged by UCP for its extraordinary efforts in supporting the organization and its families over the years. CEO Contreras lauded Paul Rodriguez, Circle K Vice President of Operations Arizona, for his leadership and vision, as well as the extraordinary efforts by Karla Garsha on the Circle K team, as they spearheaded the campaign into resounding success.
“We are proud of our contributions and our commitment to the communities where we live and work. This record contribution is a testament to the immense generosity and community spirit of everyone we employ and serve,” Paul Rodriguez, Vice President of the Arizona Division of Circle K, said. “For more than 30 years, we have been committed to the important work being done by UCP. We are so proud to play even a small part of making people’s lives better and helping those that have been so challenged by what we often take for granted. It lends greater meaning and higher purpose to each and every work day at Circle K.”
Circle K will be honored at United Cerebral Palsy’s Champions in Life Night Gala, scheduled for October 16, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. at the Phoenician Resort, celebrating 60 years of UCP. Circle K will be receiving the Laura Dozer Award, named after Rich and Karie Dozer’s daughter, who passed away in 2008 due to cerebral palsy.
“We are beyond grateful for the passion and commitment of the Circle K employees, and the generosity of their customers and business partners,” Contreras said. “The company’s support has made it possible to provide comprehensive therapy and other services to children as they speak their first words, take their first step and even give a loved one a hug for the first time.”
