Local CITGO® Lubricants Plant Commemorates Earth Day with Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana

CICERO, Ill., April 30, 2013 / 3BL Media /PRNewswire/ -- Employees at the CITGO Petroleum Corporation lubricants blending plant in Cicero recently helped beautify the local Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children's Hospital in honor of Earth Day. On April 27^th, CITGO Lubricants volunteers added soil and mulch, planted grasses and other plants, and provided landscaping materials to refresh the grounds in front of the main entrance of the House, a focal point for everyone who visits, works or stays there.  

"All of us at CITGO Lubricants are so proud to work with the local Ronald McDonald House® for the second consecutive year because we know the tremendously important role it plays for families whose children are being treated at Advocate Children's Hospital," said Chuck Stark, manager of the CITGO Lubricants plant in Cicero. "All of our volunteers consider it a great privilege to have the opportunity to help the Ronald McDonald House make families' stays here just a little bit brighter."

The Ronald McDonald House® near Advocate Children's Hospital has been a pillar of strength for the Oak Lawn community since it opened its doors in 2008, welcoming more than 700 families, serving more than 850 meals and providing more than 30,000 volunteer hours. With the help of supporters like the CITGO Lubricants volunteers, Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC®-CNI) hopes to increase its reach and impact within the community.

"We are very grateful for the hard work of the CITGO Lubricants volunteers, as well as Construction Partner's Inc., who generously donated their labor and equipment to the project," said Kelly Evans, Senior House Director of Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Children's Hospital. "The volunteers' enthusiasm about enhancing the House was inspiring, and thanks to these organizations, our House will be even more welcoming to the families staying with us while their child is in the hospital."

The CITGO lubricants plant in Cicero has been a part of the community for 63 years, providing local jobs and supporting charities in the area, including RMHC®-CNI. The plant blends and packages finished lubricants and greases that provide products to the automotive, heavy-duty, transportation, industrial, small engine and agricultural markets each year.

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 PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information visit www.CITGO.com.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana
The mission of RMHC-CNI is to care for families of children with complex medical needs by providing a 'home away from home' just steps from where their child is being treated in the hospital.  Every night, 140 families find comfort, compassion and community at the four area Ronald McDonald Houses® and Ronald McDonald Family Room®.  That's 40,000 nights where RMHC-CNI families are able to stay close to their child saving them over $7 million in hotel costs.  We are located near Advocate Children's Hospital, Loyola University Medical Center, University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and Edward Hospital in Naperville.  For more information visit www.RonaldHouseChicago.org.  Stay connected - Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

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