The front of the Cardinal Plaza Shell gas station, which has been in operation since 1969. This year they sponsored a back-to-school drive to help area kids in need. Photo by Marissa Beale/The Connection
You may have noticed the sign “You Pump We Donate: Back to School Backpack Drive for Area Kids,” in front of the Cardinal Plaza Shell gas station on Old Keene Mill Road. For the entire month of August this gas station had been committed to raising money for school supplies to help area children in need. They support several charities throughout the year, and in month of August they turn their attention to children. “We put the sign out and have received good feedback,” said Chris Chagnon, one of the service managers at Shell. For every oil change performed in August, $5 went toward helping area children, and for every gallon of oil, one cent was donated as well. Though small, the dollars do quickly add up. “Last year around this time we distributed about 3,500 coats and backpacks to children in need,” said Chagnon. To make this possible, they partner with Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue, an organization that reaches out to children in need. Not many gas stations do this, and when asked why Shell does, Chagnon replied, “Well, the community is what keeps us in business, and so this is our effort to give back.” Their goal was to help sponsor 250 new backpacks filled with school supplies for less-fortunate youths. In November they will continue to work with Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue to raise money for 100 winter coats. They have also worked with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, ECHO, Operation Starfish and other community-based organizations. A family-owned and operated business, Cardinal Plaza Shell has been in operation since it1969 when UT Brown first opened it. For more information you can visit their website at http://www.cardinalplazashell.com/. To learn more about Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue, or to
see how you can play an active part, visit their website at http://www.ffandfriends2therescue.org/.