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Pilot campaigns raise more than $39,000 for area nonprofits

November 30, 2018

Pilot Convenience Stores presented checks totaling more than $39,000 to two East Tennessee nonprofit organizations on Nov. 29 at the Pilot Convenience Store in Rocky Hill at 7686 S. Northshore Drive in Knoxville.

The first, a $23,977 check to Emerald Youth Foundation, was raised during a two-week fundraising campaign in August at East Tennessee Pilot convenience stores. During that time, Pilot guests could opt to “round-up” their purchase to the nearest dollar and donate the additional amount to Emerald Youth Foundation.

Pilot also presented a $15,850 check to the East Tennessee chapter of JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). Pilot guests in East Tennessee again were offered the opportunity to “round-up” their purchase to the nearest dollar, donating the additional amount to the nonprofit, during a two-week fundraiser in October.

“Our guests have demonstrated their generosity again, and we’re blown away by how much our ‘round-up’ program raises for such worthy causes,” said Dan Fleming, vice president of operations for Pilot. “By making the donation process simple, and by having great team ambassadors working in our convenience stores, these campaigns are successful and make a difference in our community. Pilot remains committed to supporting nonprofits doing great work in East Tennessee.”

Pilot Convenience Stores Vice President Dan Fleming, right, presents a $23,977 check to Emerald Youth Foundation Vice President of Advancement Haylee Marshall.

Emerald Youth Foundation has been committed to developing young leaders in the heart of Knoxville for almost three decades through ministries focusing on faith, learning and health.

“We are so honored to be the beneficiary of such abundant giving through our partnership with Pilot,” said Haylee Marshall, vice president of advancement for Emerald Youth Foundation. “The generosity of so many in East Tennessee will support existing youth programs as well as expand programming at locations such as our Lonsdale Ministry Complex, a community and multipurpose center set to open in the middle of next year.”

Pilot Convenience Stores Vice President Dan Fleming on Nov. 29 presents a $15,850 check to the East Tennessee chapter of JDRF. From left: JDRF board member Virginia Bieber; Christine Cloninger, senior development manager for JDRF; William Bieber, who has type 1 diabetes; and Fleming.

JDRF fights type 1 diabetes (T1D) by funding research and advocacy programs for the disease. The organization also provides a global support network for people and families impacted by T1D.

“We look forward to the day when no child or adult will have to live with T1D,” said Christine Cloninger, senior development manager for JDRF. “Donations from our community and great partners such as Pilot make a meaningful difference by supporting those who are impacted by the disease and finding a cure. You may think it’s just a few cents on an everyday purchase, but it is so much more. On behalf of all the families we serve, we extend a big thank you to Pilot and our community.”

About Pilot
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot operates 38 convenience stores in Tennessee.

About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2.2 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout the United States and our six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter: @JDRF.

About Emerald Youth Foundation
Since 1991, Emerald Youth Foundation worked to support Knoxville’s youth and prepare generations of Godly community leaders. Emerald Youth has engaged more than 25,000 children and young adults in a variety of community programs over nearly three decades. Every year, Emerald Youth serves more than 2,200 children, teens and young adults in the heart of Knoxville through faith, learning and health programs.