Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores Announces Unique Employee-Driven Community Initiative
"Making a Difference from the Heart" Results in $165,000 Available for Non-Profits in Oklahoma City
Love's Marks 45th Anniversary
OKLAHOMA CITY, February 10, 2009 – Flanked by family members and special guests, Tom Love, founder and CEO of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, and his daughter, Jenny Love Meyer, announced today Love’s will provide $450 to each corporate employee to donate to a non-profit organization in the greater Oklahoma City area.
The initiative, entitled “Making a Difference from the Heart,” makes $165,000 available to non-profit organizations in the greater Oklahoma City area at a time when they have experienced abrupt and steep declines in donations. Corporate employees will be able to donate to their gifts to the non-profit organization of their choice.
“In this challenging economy, it is more important than ever to show support for charitable organizations that help so many in our community,” said Love. “Love’s has contributed a consistent portion of our net profit to these organizations for many years in recognition of our corporate responsibility to continually invest in our community to help others and make it better. We are fortunate to be in a financial position to continue these contributions.”
The initiative is being launched in conjunction with the Valentines holiday and the 45th anniversary of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores.
“We thought a great deal about how to appropriately mark our company’s 45th anniversary,” commented Jenny Love Meyer, the company’s director of communications. “It didn’t take us long to decide it was indeed best in today’s economic climate to invest in the community that is our home. We have tremendous employees who have contributed to our success over the past 45 years, and we wanted to express our appreciation by offering them an opportunity to help others in our community who are experiencing great need these days.”
Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett joined the Love family at the company’s corporate offices in north Oklahoma City to mark this gift and celebrate the 45th anniversary of the company. “As a result of the current economic downturn, many charities in our community are facing declining donations while demand for their services increases by the day. I can assure you that Love’s ‘Making a Difference from the Heart’ program will have a direct, positive impact on the ability of local non-profit organizations to serve our community. It will make a difference – a big one. This is a terrific announcement today from an Oklahoma City company that embodies to the fullest what it truly means to be an outstanding corporate citizen. The community is very appreciative.”
Speaking on behalf of the Greater Oklahoma City non-profit community, Debby Hampton, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Center for Non-Profits, said the initiative is an “incredible gesture of support for the community at a very crucial time.” Hampton continued, “This is a brilliant idea and I commend the Love family and its employees for putting the community interest above all else. You can be assured this tremendous initiative will certainly make a difference in the lives of many people who depend on the outstanding and compassionate services provided by non-profits across this community. The non-profit community is deeply grateful to Love’s and its employees. A simple heartfelt thank you seems so inadequate, but thanks very much.”
About Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores
Founded in 1964 by Tom Love, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla., and remains family owned and operated. With more than 200 locations in more than 30 states, Love’s is growing aggressively. Love’s is currently ranked No. 25 on Forbes’ Magazine’s annual list of America’s largest private companies. From the first fueling station in Watonga, Okla., the Love’s commitment has remained the same: “Clean Places, Friendly Faces.”