Category Logo

‘Pilot Celebrity Pumpers’ raises record-breaking $97,173 for United Way of Greater Knoxville

October 5, 2018

Pilot donated $97,173 to the United Way of Greater Knoxville thanks to the tremendous support of community members who purchased gas and other items at Knox County Pilot Convenience Stores during “Pilot Celebrity Pumpers.” The 2018 fundraiser tally bested the previous record of $94,091 set in 2017.

Pilot Founder and Chairman James A. Haslam II, right, unveils a donation of $97,173, the total amount raised for the United Way of Greater Knoxville through the 2018 Pilot Celebrity Pumpers fundraiser, at a presentation at the Pilot Convenience Store on Western Avenue on Oct. 5. United Way of Greater Knoxville President and CEO Ben Landers, left, accepted the donation, which brings the total amount raised through Pilot Pumpers since its inception to more than $1.4 million.

From Oct. 1-3, local celebrities, including elected officials, media personalities and University of Tennessee representatives, pumped gas and greeted customers to help Pilot raise funds for United Way. During the three-day event, Pilot donated 5 cents of every gallon of gas and 10 cents of every dollar spent in-store to the United Way of Greater Knoxville’s 2018 annual campaign.

“I am amazed and grateful every year at the success of Pilot Pumpers,” said Jim Haslam II, founder and chairman of Pilot. “The community always turns out for this event, and I want to thank our guests who fueled up at Pilot and visited our stores. I also want to thank our celebrity pumpers who volunteered their time and our team members who supported this worthy cause. The United Way of Greater Knoxville uses these funds to help those in need in our community all year long.”

Haslam revealed the 2018 donation amount to United Way representatives on Oct. 5 at the Pilot Convenience Store at 1826 Western Avenue in Knoxville. “Pilot Celebrity Pumpers” continues to be the United Way’s single-largest special event fundraiser, helping the organization assist those most in need in our community. Since its inception, Pilot Pumpers has raised more than $1.4 million for United Way of Greater Knoxville.

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero was among the celebrity pumpers, along with Knoxville City Council, Knox County Commission and Knox County School Board members and media personalities. Sports figures also participated, including Michael Annett, NASCAR driver for Pilot Flying J Racing; UT Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer; Lady Vols Basketball Head Coach Holly Warlick; and the UT Spirit Squad.

“We are grateful for Pilot’s longtime commitment to the community through Pilot Celebrity Pumpers, and we appreciate everyone who visited a local Pilot to support this event,” United Way of Greater Knoxville CEO Ben Landers said. “This generous donation has a lasting impact on our community and allows our partner agencies to implement life-changing programs and initiatives.”

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