October 11, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 11, 2013
For more information,
Contact: Natalie Lester
Moxley Carmichael
(865) 544-0088
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University of Tennessee Athletics Director Dave Hart visits with Jim Haslam, Pilot Flying J founder and chairman of the board, at the Pilot on Cumberland Avenue during Pilot Pumpers on Oct. 8. The three-day event raised $86,200 for the United Way of Greater Knoxville.
In just three days, “Pilot Celebrity Pumpers” raised a record-breaking $86,200 for the United Way of Greater Knoxville, which surpassed the previous record by $21,250. The record was $64,950 set in 2012. Over two decades, the special event has raised more than one million dollars for the United Way. Pilot Celebrity Pumpers continues to be the charity’s single-largest special event fundraiser, helping United Way assist those most in need in our community.
On Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 7-9, local celebrities, including elected officials, media personalities and UT sport figures, pumped gas and greeted customers to raise funds for the United Way of Greater Knoxville’s 2013 campaign. During the three-day event, Pilot donated five cents of every gallon of gas and 10 cents of every dollar spent in-store to United Way.
“We appreciate every customer who stopped by the stores and helped Pilot help Knoxville in such a big way,” said Pilot Founder and Chairman of the Board Jim Haslam. “Breaking last year’s record shows how committed the community and Pilot are to helping the United Way. We also applaud the celebrity pumpers who volunteered time out of their busy schedules to support this worthy cause.”
Celebrity pumpers distributed coupons for a free beverage during the event. Additionally, one lucky customer from each Pilot location won a $100 Pilot gas card.
Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett were among the celebrity pumpers, along with a host of Knoxville City Council and Knox County Commission members and media personalities. Well-known sports figures Holly Warlick, Lady Vols basketball head coach; Michael Annett, NASCAR driver for Pilot racing; and Dave Hart, University of Tennessee athletics director, also participated.
“Pilot Celebrity Pumpers has become a signature event for United Way,” said 2013 United Way Chairman Bob Kesling. “It reminds the community about our annual campaign and the important work United Way does in the greater Knoxville area.
“It’s a team effort and my thanks goes to the whole team: to Pilot for sponsoring this event, to the many celebrity pumpers that gave of their valuable time and to all the Pilot customers who participated.”
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Pilot operates 40 convenience stores in Tennessee.
United Way of Greater Knoxville is a local, independent organization dedicated to improving lives by building a better community. In partnership with 46 agencies, local business, community leaders and ordinary citizens, United Way tackles issues that matter most. By working together, United Way provides a safety net of services addressing Knoxville’s most basic needs while working toward lasting change. For more information, please visit http://www.unitedwayknox.org.
