Longtime supporters Valero and Big Red are celebrating milestones as both mark more than $1 million in giving to Arkansas Children’s.
Valero’s $1 million gift, combined with Big Red’s fundraising success totaling $1 million, means that combined gifts of more than $2 million will go toward supporting children and families at Arkansas Children’s.
“From advocacy to fundraising, Big Red and Valero have been champions for children and supported our vision of unprecedented child health, defined and delivered for years,” said Fred Scarborough, president of Arkansas Children’s Foundation. “With the critical support of community partners like Valero and Big Red, Arkansas Children’s has treated sick and injured children for more than a century.”
Big Red has partnered with Arkansas Children’s since 2009. This year, through its annual campaign, Big Red surpassed the $1 million milestone by raising $174,997 during their annual campaign, which included a helicopter cardstock campaign and selling cookies at each of its gas station registers to help raise funds.
The money Big Red raises annually goes to Arkansas Children’s greatest need fund.
“As a locally owned company, we are proud to play a part in supporting the great work Arkansas Children’s does throughout our community and the entire state,” said David Hendrix, co-owner and president, Summerwood Partners LLC.
Valero’s history of giving to Arkansas Children’s began in 2017. In 2018, Valero made its first donation to Oral Health Outreach. In 2019, Valero committed a $1 million pledge to Arkansas Children’s Dental Outreach program.
“Valero is proud to partner with Arkansas Children’s and support the growth of the Dental Outreach programs to provide a better quality of life for children in the region,” said Noel Lagunas, Valero’s director of wholesale marketing. “We are proud of the many ways we are able to support Arkansas Children’s advance its promise of unprecedented child health.”
Since 2009, the Dental Outreach program has provided 15,835 patient visits and 17,518 procedures through four mobile dental clinics, screened 48,100 children and provided fluoride applications and applied more than 79,000 dental sealants through the dental sealant program.
To commemorate this milestone, members of both Valero and Big Red gathered at Arkansas Children’s on May 19 for a Day of Giving, which included members of both organizations participating in volunteer projects that directly help support and drive Arkansas Children’s mission.