CITGO Joins Muscular Dystrophy Association in Raising More Than $350,000 in Wisconsin

HOUSTON, Dec. 10, 2015 /3BL Media/ – Fueling good with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) for nearly 30 years, CITGO Petroleum Corporation, as well as its local Marketers and Retailers, supported several recent MDA events throughout Wisconsin, helping to cumulatively raise more than $350,000 to benefit local chapters and fund research for neuromuscular diseases. 
 
MDA Muscle Team events in both Madison and Milwaukee invited local children, known as MDA Buddies, who are currently living with muscle disease, to meet and spend time with their favorite collegiate and professional sports stars. 
 
In Madison, athletes including former Green Bay Packers Gilbert Brown and Santana Dotson, as well as University of Wisconsin-Madison Badger Men’s Hockey Coach Mike Eaves and Softball Coach Yvette Healy attended the event in August. Milwaukee’s Muscle Team Gala in mid-November raised the most funds in its five year history and featured Khris Middleton and Michael Carter Williams of the Milwaukee Bucks. At both Muscle Team events, attendees participated in silent and live auctions, bidding on unique sports packages and signed memorabilia, as well as trips and experiences.
 
The second-annual MDA Toast to Life, also held in November, featured a raffle and silent auction, with all proceeds going directly to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research. With more than 70 patients living with ALS currently registered with the MDA Green Bay chapter, this cause is of specific importance to the local area. In addition, local CITGO Marketer Garrow Oil served as the title sponsor of the event and donated several raffle and silent auction items, including CITGO Gift Cards.
 
“It is thanks to the generosity of our partners, especially CITGO and its local Marketers, who have been valued, long-time supporters of the MDA, that we are able to hold such successful local chapter events,” said Emily Straw, Executive Director, MDA Southern Wisconsin. “With the funds from these Muscle Team and Toast to Life initiatives, we’ll work to continue fulfilling our mission of conducting research, providing health care services and support to local MDA families, and raising awareness about neuromuscular diseases.” 
 
Miss Wisconsin, Rosalie Smith, appeared at all three MDA events to meet and greet with attendees, MDA Buddies, and assist with the silent and live auctions. 
 
“Supporting the MDA has been a CITGO priority for nearly 30 years, as the organization has an impact at both a national and local level,” said Alan Flagg, CITGO Assistant Vice President of Supply and Marketing. “We’re grateful that our local Marketers, including Condon Oil, Frawley Oil, Garrow Oil, Meffert Oil, US Venture, and World Fuel Services/Lakeside Oil step up year after year to join us in supporting these MDA chapters in the Wisconsin area. This truly exemplifies our commitment to fueling good in local communities and sharing the responsibility for improving the lives of others.” 
 
CITGO employees and its network of Marketers and Retailers have supported the MDA since 1986 and have raised more than $180 million through various events, including golf and bowling tournaments, walk-a-thons and auctions. 
 
To learn more about the MDA and how you can get involved, visit www.mda.org. For more about the CITGO partnership with the MDA, visit www.citgo.com. 
 
About the Muscular Dystrophy Association
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the world’s leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases. It does so by funding worldwide research; by providing comprehensive health care services and support to MDA families nationwide; and by rallying communities to fight back through advocacy, fundraising and local engagement. Visit mda.org and follow us at facebook.com/MDAnational and @MDAnews.

About CITGO 
CITGO is committed to giving back to the local communities it serves through its network of locally owned CITGO locations. CITGO Marketers and Retailers in Wisconsin own and operate more than 250 CITGO locations and are proud to support their communities and organizations. For more information on the positive impact of the locally owned CITGO stations, visit www.fuelinggood.com. 
 
CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.