CITGO Fuels Holiday Spirit Among Underserved Community at MorningStar Mission

LEMONT, Ill., January 4, 2016 /3BL Media/ – CITGO Petroleum Corporation fueled good this holiday season by bringing together employees from its Arlington Heights and Lemont Terminals, as well as its Lemont Refinery, on Christmas Day to volunteer and make a difference with local homeless shelter and support organization MorningStar Mission.

MorningStar Mission, which is based in Joliet, Ill., serves to relieve the spiritual and physical hunger of the poor by providing food for the hungry, clothing for the needy, shelter for the homeless and guidance to all. The organization serves more than 900 meals each day and coordinates programs including The 180 Club: Men’s Residential Recovery Program, a bargain-priced store called Treasure Chest, a women and family recovery center and employment placement assistance. In addition, the organization provides holiday meal baskets at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter to serve approximately 5,000 individuals each year.
 
“We depend on the contributions of our local partners and businesses to continue to fulfill our mission in the community,” said Marilyn Farmer, executive director of MorningStar Mission. “Thanks to the continued support and generosity of CITGO and its employees, we’re able to give the families and individuals we serve a memorable and joyful holiday.” 

With a $3,000 donation, CITGO sponsored the organization’s Christmas dinner, and nearly 20 employees and their families spent the holiday preparing and serving food and handing out gifts. This marks the second year that CITGO has partnered with MorningStar Mission over the holidays, as last year the Lemont Terminal and its employees also sponsored and supported the Christmas meal. Additionally, since 2013, CITGO has also been a contributor to monthly birthday parties for the children supported by MorningStar Mission, donating gifts and sending volunteers to bring joy, recognition and support to homeless children and families during difficult times in their lives.

“The volunteerism of the employees from the CITGO Arlington Heights and Lemont Terminals and our Lemont Refinery to support MorningStar Mission on Christmas Day exemplifies the core values of our company,” said Jim Cristman, vice-president and general manager of the CITGO Lemont Refinery. “Each year, the Lemont Refinery gives more than 2,500 volunteer hours and thousands of dollars in support of community programs; we’re honored that this opportunity allows us to continue in that effort.”

Support from the terminal and refinery employees falls under the CITGO Fueling Good® program, which encourages everyone to get involved in their communities and share the responsibility of improving the lives of others.

“The CITGO Fueling Good Program is focused on bringing people together to make a difference in the communities where they live and work. By supporting MorningStar Mission, our employees are doing just that,” said Alan Flagg, CITGO assistant vice president of supply and marketing.

To learn more about MorningStar Mission and how you can get involved, visit www.morningstarmission.org. To find out how CITGO is making a difference in local communities, visit www.fuelinggood.com.

About MorningStar Mission
MorningStar Mission relieves the spiritual and physical hunger of the poor by providing food for the hungry, clothing for the needy and shelter for the homeless. Since 1909, MorningStar Mission has served men, women, children and entire families in Joliet and Will County.

About the CITGO Lemont Refinery
The CITGO Lemont Refinery employs more than 800 local residents on a full-time and contract basis in support of the local economy. In addition to producing high quality fuels for a large portion of the network of nearly 6,000 locally-owned CITGO stations across the country, Lemont refinery employees also make a major positive impact on the community. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer hours and thousands of dollars are given in support of community programs such as Muscular Dystrophy Association, United Way and a variety of environmental and preservation programs. For more information on the CITGO Lemont Refinery, visit www.citgorefining.com/Lemont.

About CITGO
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.