Event celebrates first responders while raising funds for disaster relief
ALEXANDRIA, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#247Day–On Wednesday, July 24, also known as 24/7 Day, the U.S. convenience store industry will celebrate the local heroes within its communities—and all they do for others—in times of need. Hosted by the NACS Foundation, 24/7 Day recognizes and gives back to first responders, police, fire, EMTs, doctors, nurses, health practitioners, medical personnel, 9-1-1 professionals and Red Cross volunteers all of whom work around the clock to ensure people don’t face emergencies alone.
This year’s event, themed “Here for Heroes, Here for You,” recognizes these heroes by offering a token of gratitude from one of their largest supporters—the convenience store industry. Across the country, more than 60 retailers and suppliers representing approximately 30,000 stores will each have a unique offer (such as free coffee, free meals or branded merchandise) that any first responder can claim by wearing their uniform or showing a badge. The event will also raise awareness and donations for the American Red Cross.
“The 24/7 Day celebration was born from the realization that there is a deep connection between first responders and the convenience store community. Our mutual workforce provides essential services in times of great need, while also acting as a reliable and safe hub for connection and socialization,” said Stephanie Sikorski, executive director of the NACS Foundation. “We’ve heard too often that ‘nothing good happens after zero-dark-thirty,’ but our research shows that these small hours are actually when first responders and convenience stores unite across a range of critical community efforts, from setting up for a disaster relief effort or simply getting a healthy snack or drink during a shift to keep energy high. We are proud to support these efforts, which keep our communities strong.”
Convenience stores are an integral part of everyday life across the United States. There are more than 152,000 convenience stores across the country, which conduct 160 million transactions a day.
This year, more than 30,000 convenience stores are expected to participate in the 24/7 Day celebration including: 1-Stop, Admiral, Allsup’s and Yesway, Apple Market, BreadBox, Casey’s, Certified Oil, CFCA, Cumberland Farms, Delek, Enmarket, Express Stop, E-Z Mart, fas mart, fastmarket, Fastrac, FavTrip, Flash Market, Garrett’s Family Market and Rapid Refill Convenience Stores, Handy Mart, High’s, Hop Shops, Huck’s, Jiffi Stop, Jiffy Stop Food Marts, KwikShop, Loaf ‘N Jug, Li’l Cricket, Loop Neighborhood Markets, Minit Mart, Next Door Store, OnCue, On the Run, Onvo, Poppy Market, Pride, Quarles, QuickStop Markets, R Store, RaceTrac, Roadrunner Markets, Rutter’s, Scotchman, Sheetz, shore stop, Sprint Food Stores, Sprint Mart, St. Romain Oil Co./Y-Not Stop, The Convenience Group, The Hub Convenience Stores, The Markets of Tiger Fuel Company, Tom Thumb, Town Star, TXB, Turkey Hill Minit Markets, UNCLE’s, Village Pantry, Young’s, and Wawa and The Wawa Foundation.
Additionally, supplier partners including Keurig Dr Pepper, NENA: The 9-1-1 Association and GSTV are also supporting the effort through a range of efforts and offers.
Participating retailers each support 24/7 Day in their own unique way, offering everything from free coffee, fountain and frozen drinks to free meals and merchandise. All that is required is for first responders to arrive in uniform or with a badge. Other convenience stores, like Wawa, celebrate their partnership with the American Red Cross by mailing 15,000 free hot beverage coupons to American Red Cross volunteers to thank them for their service and use the day to announce in-store customer fundraising results that support disaster relief efforts in the community. A full list of participants, as well as what each store is offering, is available at 247Day.org.
“We hope you will join us in supporting the heroes who are always here for us, helping others and giving so much of themselves in times of incredible need,” said Nathan Measom, director of cause marketing for the American Red Cross. “Our continued partnership with the NACS Foundation is one of the most important ways we highlight the work done each year in communities across the United States, which is not often seen by the public. It’s our honor to shine a light on these heroes and thank them for their incredible effort.”
In addition to visiting a convenience store on 24/7 Day, the NACS Foundation invites the public to also take part by:
- Donating to the American Red Cross directly to support the work they do in communities
- Use the hashtag #247Day to show how you support your hometown heroes
- Share stories of appreciation for first responders, medical personnel, 9-1-1 professionals, Red Cross volunteers and other local heroes in their community on social media, tagging #247Day
About the NACS Foundation
NACS Foundation is the 501(c)3 charitable arm of NACS, the global industry association dedicated to advancing convenience and fuel retailing. In partnership with fuel retail, convenience and suppliers across the U.S., the NACS Foundation propels brighter futures by unifying and amplifying the philanthropic and charitable activities of the industry in communities across America. To learn more, visit conveniencecares.org, or visit us on Facebook at @TheNACSFoundation and Twitter at @NACS_Foundation.
About NACS
For more than 60 years, NACS has been recognized as the premiere association for convenience and fuel retailers. NACS has more than 1,000 retail member companies that cumulatively represent more than 200,000 stores in 50-plus countries, including 90,000 stores in the United States alone. The U.S. convenience store industry, with more than 152,000 stores nationwide selling fuel, food and merchandise, conducts 160 million transactions daily and had sales of $860 billion in 2023. For more information, visit convenience.org. Follow NACS on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.
Contacts
Jeff Lenard | [email protected]
