/PRNewswire/ - Doing good in local communities is a core value woven throughout CITGO Petroleum Corporation and one that is uniquely demonstrated through its Fueling Good Program. Now in its third year, Fueling Good recognizes and rewards local heroes within their communities for the good works they do, from caring for the needy to providing food for the hungry to assisting kids who need dental care. 

As part of its fall Fueling Good program, CITGO is awarding UNC Dance Marathon with $5,000 in CITGO Gift Cards to help extend its Ripple of Good and the impact of its work supporting the children and families of North Carolina Children's Hospital.

"At a time when families are struggling with the serious challenge of having a sick child, donations of any kind go a long way. The CITGO fuel will help cover expenses for families who need to make trips to the hospital. That way the families can focus on their child, not on their fuel costs," said Gracie Beard, coordinator for UNC Dance Marathon. "We are extremely thankful for the generous donation from CITGO to help UNC Dance Marathon provide support for even more patients and families."

Each year, UNC Dance Marathon unites University of North Carolina students with members of the community to help young patients and their families. Through the years, UNC Dance Marathon has raised more than $2.8 million for N.C. Children's Hospital through fundraising events throughout the year, including percentage nights at local restaurants and an annual golf tournament followed by a silent auction. The annual 24-hour dance marathon is the non-profit's largest fundraising event, and it will take place Feb. 17 and 18, 2012.

UNC Dance Marathon is one of 12 CITGO fall Fueling Good winners determined from more than 1,500 charities through a nationwide online vote, with more than 100,000 votes cast to help determine the latest winners. The winter 2011 Fueling Good program registration opened on Dec. 1 and ends on Jan. 11 for all 501(c) (3) non-profit organizations within the CITGO marketing area. Online public voting runs from Jan. 12 to Feb. 9 to determine the next 12 winning charities, who will each receive $5,000 in CITGO Gift Cards to spread their own Ripple of Good. 

To enter your charity for a chance to win up to $5,000 in CITGO Gift Cards, and to 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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