Community Is Important to Us

CEFCO Convenience Stores Shows Its Support For CMN

CEFCO Convenience Stores, a subsidiary of Fikes Wholesale, Inc., made the spring of 2007 a very special one for children treated at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, TX.  This year, CEFCO will donate more than $100,000 to the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) at Scott & White raised through events that included Miracle Balloon sales in individual convenience stores, a history making golf tournament, and a special benefits concert.

In March and April, CMN Miracle Balloon sales in the more than 75 CEFCO locations across Central Texas far exceeded expectations.  On May 7 the 6th annual “Hackers-R-Us” golf tournament was the largest ever for Mill Creek Golf Course in Salado, TX, where more than 225 golfers turned out for the successful event.   The special day ended with a silent auction and private concert by Nashville recording artist Jeff Bates.

Founded in 1979, CEFCO has served the Central Texas area with an unwavering commitment to the children of its community.  Owned and operated by James and Kim Fikes, CEFCO is headquartered in Temple, TX. It is a fast growing chain of convenience stores which has also become one of the fastest growing corporate sponsor of the Children’s Miracle Network since partnering with the charity in 1999.

“CEFCO is a wonderful example of a community working together to help save and improve the lives of children,” according to Lesli Joy Cearley, CMN Manager at Scott & White. “From the associate in the stores, to the vendors, to the CEO – they care about kids and make great things happen to help children.”

One notable golfer at this year’s event was 17-year-old Tanner Belanger from Lampasas, TX.  Tanner has been a patient at the Children’s Hospital at Scott & White most of his life and has developed a special relationship with CEFCO.  In his words, “I am thankful to James and Kim Fikes and CEFCO for all they do for Children’s Miracle Network, and I am proud to call them my friends.

CMN Plaque Honoring Contributions from the Fikes Companies

A plaque will be placed in the Pediatric Playroom in the emergency room at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas honoring James & Kim Fikes and the Fikes companies.  Through several fund raising events, including the annual "Hackers-R-Us" golf tournament, the Fikes companies have raised over $200,000 for Children's Miracle Network.

C.E. Fikes (CEFCO) Endowed Scholarship Fund Established

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas entered into an agreement with the Fikes companies to establish a scholarship fund.  The expectation is to begin granting the scholarships for the Spring and Fall semesters beginning in 2008.

On October 25, CEFCO Convenience Stores contributed $15,000 to establish the C.E. Fikes (CEFCO) Endowed Scholarship.

CEFCO Convenience Stores have been operating in Central Texas since 1979.  Their commitment to outstanding service to their customers and community is evident and can be summed up by the company's goal, "do the right thing."  The company has accomplished this goal by contributing thousands of dollars in support of the Children's Miracle Network and now by supporting student scholarships.

The endowed scholarship is named in honor of Mr. C.E. Fikes.  Mr. Fikes, a native of Cameron, Texas, was the founder of Fikes Wholesale, Inc., the holding company for CEFCO Convenience Stores, Fleet Fuel, Sunbelt Ice, CORD Financial Services and Group Petroleum Services.

ExxonMobil's Education Alliance Grant Program

We also support various Refiner programs including ExxonMobil's Education Alliance Grant Program, which will provide 2 million dollars to support education. Grants of $500 each are provided for local schools. Through our CEFCO stores, more than $35,000 has been distributed to schools in Central Texas over the past five years.

Thanks to the efforts of CEFCO Convenience Stores in various areas of Texas, eleven school have each been awarded a $500 Exxon/Mobil Educational Alliance Grant.  Funded by the Exxon/Mobil Foundation, the Educational Alliance Program is designed to provide Exxon retailers like CEFCO Convenience Stores with an opportunity to invest in the future of their community through educational grants to neighborhood schools. 

The proud recipients of grants in 2006 are:

• Lakewood Elementary School - Belton
• Miller Heights Elementary School - Belton
• Gatesville Elementary School - Gatesville
• Gatesville Intermediate School - Gatesville
• Hamilton Junior High School - Hamilton
• Blackshear Elementary School - Hearne
• Hearne Junior High School - Hearne
• Hewitt Elementary School - Hewitt
• Kerens Elementary School - Kerens
• Lott Elementary School - Lott
• Taylor Middle School - Taylor
• Cater Elementary School - Temple