Run series to be an annual event for San Antonio-based CST Brands
HIGH-RES PHOTOS IN EACH MARKET AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD: http://thedeberrygroup.smugmug.com/
(SAN ANTONIO, TX ) — CST Brands, a Fortune 500 convenience chain based in San Antonio, TX and parent company of Corner Store, wrapped up its first-ever signature fundraising event in San Antonio on Saturday, an eight-city 5K fun run series called the Corner Store Country Run.
The Country Run raised a net total of $1 million for Big Brothers Big Sisters in the U.S. and Canada and local children’s charities in each of the eight race markets, including revenue from participant registrations, sponsors such as Oak Farms, Anheuser-Busch and Coca-Cola, and Corner Store customers who donated at the register in participating locations. For a full list of sponsors, visit CornerStoreRun.com.
On Saturday, Corner Store CEO Kim Lubel presented a check for $500,000 to representatives from Big Brothers Big Sisters, the world’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network. All other event proceeds will go to various children’s charities in each market.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters is proud to have been chosen as a charity partner for the inaugural Corner Store Country Run,” stated Pam Iorio, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. “Their support has positively impacted the lives of the children and families we serve, and we are grateful for their generosity.”
The first Country Run kicked off in Montreal, Quebec on Sept. 13 and ended in San Antonio on Saturday, stopping along the way in Little Rock, Phoenix, Denver, Houston, Austin and Dallas — all cities with a strong Corner Store presence.
From beginning to end, the series attracted more than 20,000 registrations and generated more than 200,000 mentions on social media of the official #CountryRun2014 hashtag.
“For a first-year race, the Country Run has been successful beyond our greatest hopes,” said Kim Lubel, CEO and Chairman of CST Brands, Corner Store’s parent company. “People loved the concept, they dressed the part, they loved that it was family-friendly. It gave us the perfect platform to engage our employees, our customers, our sponsors and our communities for a great cause.”
The course was farm-themed with hay bales, corn stalks and giant inflatable cows and pigs, and participants dressed in Western wear, overalls, cowboy hats, even a chicken costume. Registration included a T-shirt, blue finisher ribbon and a free country fair with live music, beer garden, food, carnival games and giveaways.
2014 Corner Store Country Run Schedule
| Montreal, Quebec | Angrignon Park | Sept. 13 | 10 am |
| Little Rock, AR | The Park at War Memorial Stadium | Sept. 20 | 7:30 am |
| Phoenix, AZ | Rawhide Western Town | Sept. 27 | 8:30 am |
| Denver, CO | National Western Complex | Oct. 12 | 8 am |
| Houston, TX | NRG Park | Oct. 18 | 9 am |
| Austin, TX | Dell Diamond | Nov. 1 | 8:30 am |
| Dallas, TX | Fair Park | Nov. 8 | 8 am |
| San Antonio, TX | Freeman Coliseum | Nov. 15 | 8:30 am |
Official Event Hashtag: #CountryRun2014
Facebook: Facebook.com/cornerstorerun
Twitter: Twitter.com/cornerstorerun
Instagram: Instagram.com/cornerstorerun
About CST Brands and Corner Store:
CST Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CST), a Fortune 500 Company, is one of the largest independent retailers of motor fuels and convenien ce merchandise in North America. Based in San Antonio, Texas, CST employs nearly 12,000 Team Members at approximately 1,900 locations throughout the Southwestern United States and Eastern Canada offering a broad array of convenience merchandise, beverages, snacks and fresh food. In the U.S., CST Corner Stores proudly sell Valero fuels and signature products such as Fre sh Choices baked and packaged goods, U Force energy and sport drinks, Cibolo Mountain coffee, FC Soda and Flavors2Go fountain drinks. In Canada, CST is the exclusive provider of Ultramar fuel and its Dépanneur du Coin and Corner Stores sell signature Transit Café coffee and pastries. For more information about CST, please visit www.cstbrands.com.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters:
Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes such as educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children (“Littles”) with screened volunteer mentors (“Bigs”) and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Survey substantiates that its mentoring programs have proven, positive academic, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes for youth, areas linked to high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency and college or job readiness. This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization’s 110 year history. With nearly 340 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than 500,000 youth, their families and volunteers. Learn more at www.BigBrothersBigSisters.org.
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