/PRNewswire/ - The entry period is now open for the CITGO Petroleum Corporation 2011 Fueling Good program, which recognizes and rewards 501(c)3 organizations that make a positive difference in their communities. These non-profit organizations can win a share of $120,000 in quality CITGO fuel by telling their stories at www.FuelingGood.com. Up to 24 non-profit organizations will receive $5,000 in CITGO gift cards this year to support their causes and show just how far a gallon of gas can go.

"We are honored to launch the third year of Fueling Good. We've seen what an impact our past winners have on their local communities and we are excited to increase our awards to support even more groups," said Daniel Cortez, vice president, government and public affairs with CITGO. "The principles of Fueling Good, to support those making a difference in the lives of others and improving their communities, are central to everything we do at CITGO. From our nearly 3,500 corporate employees, more than 500 local Marketers, and operators and employees at the more than 6,000 locally owned CITGO stations, we are all working towards doing good and helping others."

The first leg of Fueling Good runs from June 1 to July 13. Any 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in the 26 states and District of Columbia in which CITGO operates and focused on one of the following categories are invited to submit an entry at www.FuelingGood.com: increasing literacy and education, providing energy assistance and conservation to their communities, protecting and restoring natural habitats, or helping to build healthy, happy lives. Through Fueling Good, non-profit organizations that meet these criteria have a chance to be recognized and rewarded for their efforts to positively affect the lives of others.

From July 14 to August 11, the general public, along with volunteers and supporters of each participating program, will be invited to vote via the Web for the entry that they believe is doing the most good. Based on the public response through online voting at www.FuelingGood.com, 12 entries will each win $5,000 in CITGO gift cards redeemable for fuel and convenience store purchases at any of the more than 6,000 locally owned CITGO stations.

The second leg of the program will kick off on September 1, when 12 more charities will have a chance to win $5,000 in CITGO gift cards. The Fall entry period concludes September 28, with voting from September 29 to October 27.

"As we have seen with past Fueling Good winners, the CITGO gift cards make a tremendous impact on the reach of these organizations," added Cortez. "One winner from 2009, a mobile literacy program called Bess the Book Bus, was able to extend its outreach from Florida, across the United States, and donate more than 60,000 books to children in need in just one year. Fueling Good challenges entrants to think just how far a gallon of gas can go, and just how many lives it can help change."

The principles of Fueling Good can be seen in all aspects of the CITGO brand. From the quality fuel and exceptional service provided at locally owned CITGO stations to the continuous fundraising and community efforts of local CITGO employees, Marketers, and Retailers, doing good is part of the CITGO DNA and is aligned with the social development principles of the CITGO shareholder, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

To enter for a chance to win up to $5,000 in CITGO gift cards and learn how CITGO and local organizations are making a difference, visit www.FuelingGood.com. For regular updates and to join the conversation, "Like" CITGO Fueling Good at www.Facebook.com/CITGOFuelingGood and view videos of past winners at www.youtube.com/CITGOFuelingGood.

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

For more information visit www.CITGO.com.

CITGO Petroleum Corporation

CITGO Petroleum Corporation

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 48 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,400 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 769,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the fifth-largest, and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 4,700 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com. 

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