Children's Volunteer Health Network
Santa Rosa Beach, FL

With the support of more than 80 healthcare professionals, who volunteer their time and expertise, CVHN facilitates the delivery of comprehensive direct medical, dental and mental health services to school children whose family income falls below certain measures throughout Walton and Okaloosa Counties and surrounding communities. Additionally, community volunteers assist school nurses, drive patients to their appointments, help the healthcare professionals, and assist with office work.

CVHN is, for a great many children and families in their communities, the first and strongest line of defense against a vast array of childhood health complaints which if left untreated, can develop into chronic - even life-threatening - health problems.

It is estimated that 22% of Walton County and 13% of Okaloosa County children have no health insurance. 60% of Walton County families have no dental insurance and there are only 15 dentists in Walton County to serve the population of more than 50,000 people. CVHN relies upon its volunteers, supporters and sponsors to provide their services for these needy children so that they can succeed in school and grow into healthy adults.

CITGO congratulates the Children’s Volunteer Health Network for “fueling good” across Northwestern Florida and is proud to have them as the Fueling Good Grand Prize Winner for July. For more information on CVHN’s programs, events and volunteer opportunities, visit www.CVHNKids.org.

Table Talk
Greencastle, IN

Founded in 2002 by Bill Hutson, Table Talk is a faith-driven organization dedicated to preserving and rehabilitating the homes of elderly, disabled and disadvantaged individuals across the Greencastle, IN community.

The charity ensures that people in need can live in safe and healthy conditions by providing maintenance and repairs to their homes. Through his skills as a master craftsman, Bill Hutson provides much needed work to fix leaking roofs, refit and repair bathrooms and build ramps for wheelchair access. The organization also replaces damp and moldy drywall and installs much needed insulation to prevent illness among these fragile individuals.

Those supported by Bill Hutson and his volunteers often struggle to afford medical expenses or other vital health needs. When finances are stretched thin, or when individuals are unable to keep up regular maintenance on their homes, things begin to break or become unsafe. This is when Table Talk steps in.

Since its founding, the organization has helped more than 50 elderly residents in the Greencastle community. Fifteen different government and independent organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, USDA Rural Development Program, Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program, and Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, refer projects to Table Talk. Word of mouth from across the community also helps people in need find the organization.

90 percent of the work conducted by Table Talk is paid for out of its founder's pocket. Bill Hutson works 70 hours per week as a truck driver and also owns Trinity Woodworks and Trinity Renovation LLC., a specialty woodwork and construction company. His income, along with gifts from local businesses and members of the community keep Table Talk in operation and ensure that individuals across the community can live in safe and healthy homes.

CITGO congratulates Bill Hutson and Table Talk for "fueling good" across Indiana and is proud to have them as a Fueling Good Grand Prize Winner. For more information on Table Talk's programs, events and volunteer opportunities, go to www.tabletalkministries.org

Bess the Book Bus
Tampa, FL

Bess the Book Bus is a literacy outreach program on wheels. The charity has a mission to open new worlds to those in need by promoting literacy and in turn raising education levels and expanding opportunities. Bess the Book Bus travels to schools, shelters, and after school programs, to read stories and give away books to underprivileged children.

Approximately 30,000 books are donated each year to Tampa children by Bess the Book Bus. Currently, Bess visits more than 400 underprivileged children and adults in the Tampa, FL area each week to generate excitement about reading. There is a direct correlation between the number of books in a child's home and their literacy skills. In turn, people with higher literacy skills have greater success in life. Bess the Book Bus works hard to put books in the hands of children in Tampa and beyond to help them succeed.

Bess the Book Bus currently serves twenty-five Head Start programs, ten summer programs, The Spring family abuse center in Tampa, Metropolitan Ministries homeless outreach program, Redland Christian Migrant Association, and several after school programs. The effort also supports three school libraries that do not have enough books to serve their population.

The charity was founded by Jennifer Frances in 2004 in honor of her grandmother, Bess O'Keefe. Bess "Nana Bus" O'Keefe taught Jennifer the joy of literature by reading to her from a new book every week. As Jennifer got older, she realized what a difference her Nana had made in her life by teaching the importance that a book can have on a young mind.

To share her love for reading with as many people as possible, Jennifer cashed in her 401(k), purchased an old Volkswagen camper van and began donating books and conducting reading programs across the Tampa area. She remains committed to opening new worlds and new opportunities for children through the joy of reading, just like "Nana Bus" did for her.

With the Fueling Good Grand Prize of a year's supply of gas from CITGO, Jennifer hopes to expand the reach of Bess the Book Bus and provide books to more children and help improve literacy levels and opportunities in Tampa and beyond. For more information on Bess the Book Bus programs and events, go to www.bessthebookbus.org.

The Night Ministry
Chicago, IL

The Night Ministry, October's Fueling Good Grand Prize winner, provides health, outreach and counseling to homeless and at-risk individuals across Chicago. Through a range of programs, including the Health Outreach Bus, The Night Ministry travels across Chicago to provide vital support and services to the neediest of people. Six nights a week, 52 weeks a year, The Night Ministry's Outreach and Health Ministry program touches thousands of adults, youth, and children with challenging life situations. They provide vital care, such as rapid HIV testing and diabetes monitoring, and also a place for people to talk and receive guidance and support to help get them back on their feet.

Since 1976, The Night Ministry has been dedicated to serving at-risk people across Chicago. A team of more than 400 volunteers, as well as donations from across the community, ensure that under-served people of any age, faith, and cultural background receive access to care and programs to help turn their lives around. Each year, the organization helps more than 6,000 people.

In addition to the services offered through the Health Outreach Bus, the organization provides support and guidance to at-risk teens and young adults, including crisis intervention, counseling and referrals to shelters and rehab programs. The Night Ministry also provides shelter to homeless youth. For many people, the services provided by The Night Ministry are a last hope.

Most of the people served by The Night Ministry and their Health Outreach Bus are isolated from mainstream society and have few people to talk with who will accept them as they are, without judgment or condemnation. Those served by The Night Ministry share the circumstances of poverty, loneliness, and the inability to afford and access essential services. As a result, the programs coordinated by The Night Ministry staff and volunteers mean a world of difference to those in need.

With the Fueling Good Grand Prize of a year's supply of gas from CITGO, The Night Ministry will be able to reach more people across Chicago and help bring hope to those who need it the most. For more information on The Night Ministry and ways to support this fantastic organization, go to www.thenightministry.org.

The Crystal Ball for a Cure
Virginia Beach, VA

Crystal Ball for a Cure is the latest winner of a year's supply of gas from Fueling Good. Ever since her son was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy more than eight years ago, Virginia Beach resident Linda Fox-Jarvis has chaired and coordinated The Crystal Ball, an annual gala event which brings together members of the Virginia Beach and Tidewater/Hampton Roads, Virginia area to raise money for research and support in the fight against muscular dystrophy and ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

The annual galas have raised more than $1.5 million to-date to lift the hopes of children and their families who are suffering from the debilitating effects of these diseases. Many of the children affected by muscular dystrophy are in wheelchairs and sadly do not reach their 21st birthday. One hundred percent of the money raised each year by The Crystal Ball goes towards research efforts at leading facilities across the country, including the National Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. The dedicated team of world-renowned doctors and scientists have been instrumental in advancing the understanding of over 43 different types of neuromuscular diseases, developing treatment options for children and adults, and moving us closer to finding a cure.

With the support of CITGO and Fueling Good, members of the community and organizers seek to break previous fundraising records at the ninth annual Crystal Ball, to be held February 27, 2010 at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The Fueling Good Grand Prize of a year's supply of fuel will be included in the live auction at the 2010 Crystal Ball to raise additional funds for the ongoing fight against muscular dystrophy and ALS. This year the Crystal Ball is also expanding its mission to fund projects that will improve the quality of life for all people with disabilities. The goal of Chairman Linda Fox-Jarvis and other supporters is to help with the day to day struggles that people with disabilities must deal with, make their lives easier and provide the hope and strength they need.

For more information on how Fueling Good to helping Crystal Ball for a Cure, and to register to attend the 2010 Crystal Ball Gala, visit http://www.crystalballforacure.com.

Lakeview Pantry
Chicago, IL

Lakeview Pantry, one of Chicago's oldest food pantries, is the December Fueling Good Grand Prize winner. The charity has established itself as a source of hope and nourishment for needy local families over the past 40 years. Each day, staff and volunteers are committed to their mission of providing food to fill the basic needs of hungry people, increasing the independence of needy individuals through self-help initiatives and other innovative programs, and raising awareness of poverty and hunger and identifying solutions to these issues.

More than 7,500 Chicagoans receive food donations from Lakeview Pantry each month, averaging out to a food donation every 17 minutes. This monthly donation includes on average 40 lbs of produce, meats, bread, cereal, juice and milk, and other hearty foods to ensure healthy and nutritious meals for around two weeks. Individuals can also return each week for donations of fresh produce and bread to supplement meals. The charity also provides ready-to-eat meals to area homeless and travels door-to-door to deliver to food, household items, and medicine to more than 200 elderly and homebound individuals per month. This active community outreach ensures that these elderly and isolated individuals across the community can live stronger, healthier lives.

Those supported by Lakeview pantry are the most vulnerable and needy individuals in the community. They have a monthly income of less than $500 and most are elderly, families with young children, or individuals with mental illness. Regardless of age, race, or religion, Lakeview Pantry ensures a healthy meal, and also provides one-on-one counseling and support on the broader causes of food insecurity, such as unemployment or housing instability.

With the support of CITGO, Fueling Good, and the local CITGO marketers and retailers across Chicago, Lakeview Pantry will be able to divert funds away from fuel purchases for the year ahead and ensure that more food is available for Chicagoans in need.

For more information on how Lakeview Pantry nourishes the body and spirit of needy people across Chicago, visit www.lakeviewpantry.org.

Breast Friends Forever
Middletown, NJ

After family members were struck with breast cancer my cousin, Mike Ruane and I wanted to do something to help. We created Breast Friends Forever (a 501 (c)3 corporation) to help women struggling through a breast cancer diagnosis. We have paid electric and heating bills, co-pays, chemotherapy bills, bought wigs, groceries, back to school clothes and supplies. We have paid mortgages and car payments. We started by selling t-shirts and candy and eventually held a black tie gala that raised $37,000.00 in one night. To date we have raised over $100,000.00 and all of it goes directly to patients who struggle with this disease. Please look at our website www.breastfriendsforever.org. We continue to fundraise and will for as long as we can.