Race Trac - Community Affairs

Community Affairs

In January 2009, RaceTrac paid for the fuel for a trip taken by the Blue Eagles, a 95-member marching band from South Cobb High School in Austell, Ga., to travel to Washington, D.C., and march in the inaugural parade for President-elect Barack Obama. It also donated 1,800 meals for band members to eat during their rehearsals.

Following record flooding in the Atlanta metropolitan area in September 2009, RaceTrac donated $10,000 worth of gas cards, bottled water, and ice to the relief effort. 500 cases of bottled water were distributed through the Center for Family Resources to flood victims in addition to more than $6,000 in RaceTrac gasoline

In December 2009, RaceTrac donated 42 of its gently used computers to the Marietta Housing Authority (MHA) to be used by students attending Marietta High School living under Section 8 housing. The computers will also be used by students participating in the MHA’s mentoring program in conjunction with the Marietta Schools Foundation

In December 2009, RaceTrac launched its "Coffee for a Cause" campaign to raise money for Camp Sunshine, an Atlanta-based organization committed to enriching the lives of children with cancer and their families through recreational, educational and support programs. The company donated all proceeds from its coffee sales in the Georgia region during the three-day fund-raiser. Signage featuring Santa Claus holding a RaceTrac cup of coffee and Camp Sunshine's mission statement was prominently placed throughout Georgia stores to remind RaceTrac patrons of the opportunity to make a contribution. RaceTrac’s benevolence encouraged other local organizations to participate, as well. Radio spots encouraging customer participation aired free of charge on 790 The Zone each day of the promotion. RaceTrac supplier Colonial Coffee Roasters, Inc. donated enough coffee to make 10,000 cups of its finest brew to the cause. This made it possible for 100 percent of the proceeds to go toward Camp Sunshine’s mission. The three-day drive raised over $28,500 for Camp Sunshine.

In February 2010, RaceTrac chose another charity to benefit from its "Coffee for a Cause" campaign. From February 8 to 10 RaceTrac donated all profits from coffee sales at all locations to Haiti earthquake relief efforts. All funds raised were donated to The American Red Cross

The families of more than 45 RaceTrac employees were directly affected by the Haiti earthquakes, bringing the tragedy home to RaceTrac’s Cobb County headquarters. That connection, coupled with the heart-wrenching reports and images of the destruction left behind by the 6.1 magnitude quake, convinced RaceTrac's leadership to take action. Coffee is the company’s most purchased item, so it was decided to leverage the beverage's popularity with consumers. The company raised more than $100,000 for the American Red Cross.

In April 2011, RaceTrac teamed up with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's and raised more than $130,000. Through RaceTrac’s Coffee for a Cause promotion, proceeds from all coffee and specially marked World’s Finest Chocolate bars sold between April 25¬–29th at each of RaceTrac’s more than 300 stores was donated to the Fox Foundation. In addition, Guests also had a chance to donate at the counter and online. RaceTrac’s support of The Michael J. Fox Foundation went beyond Coffee for a Cause. Along with signage promoting the weeklong campaign, Fox Foundation brochures and fact sheets about Parkinson’s were prominently placed in stores. Select Markets also hosted Founder’s Day 5K runs to draw attention to the cause. For each employee that participated in the race, RaceTrac donated $10 to the Foundation.