Make a muscle and fight

Western Refining raises more than $379,000 for MDA

Western Refining, an independent oil refiner and marketer, is dedicated to fueling the lives of its customers by supplying them with products that "move them, fly them, feed them, and make their lives better." Western Refining owns and operates two refineries with a total crude oil throughput capacity of approximately 151,000 barrels per day producing primarily high-value light products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. In addition to its 128,000 bpd refinery in El Paso, Texas, the company owns and operates a 23,000 bpd refinery near Gallup, New Mexico.

The company, operating mostly in the southwestern and western United States, is committed not only to its customers, but to the communities around them. In addition to encouraging employees to participate, to give back, and to volunteer, the company works to make a positive difference in the local communities. One way it does so is through its association with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), the world's leading non-profit health agency dedicated to saving and improving the lives of those with muscle disease.

In late June, Western Refining and the Muscular Dystrophy Association announced that the 2014 "Make A Muscle, Make A Difference®" mobile campaign raised $379,053 to help save and improve the lives of children and adults affected by muscle disease throughout the Southwest.

Western Refining employees make a muscle in support of the MDA.

"I am very proud of the effort demonstrated by both the employees and our great customers," said Western Refining vice president – retail, R.C. Sprouse. "I continue to be impressed with the charitable contributions we have been able to generate over the years – a testament to the effort of the store employees and to the generosity of our customers."

The wholesale segment of the company includes a fleet truck transports, and wholesale petroleum products operations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Virginia. The retail segment includes retail service stations and convenience stores in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.

From April 29 through June 2, Western Refining and its 230 retail stores sold $1 and $5 pin-up mobiles, which were bought and signed by customers and displayed in each store.

Now in its third year, the "Make a Muscle" mobile campaign has raised nearly $1 million to help MDA continue to make progress in the fight for muscle health.

"We are grateful to Western Refining for helping to fuel MDA's mission of help and hope in support of our families who are fighting back against muscle disease," said MDA executive director Traci McMillan. "The company's outstanding efforts as host of yet another hugely successful mobile campaign are a true testament to Western Refining's passion for helping the communities it serves."

Mobile sales directly benefit local MDA families and help raise vital funds to support MDA's programs of research and health care services, and to send children affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases to a weeklong, barrier-free MDA summer camp. Last year, more than $351,824 was raised through mobile sales donations.

The MDA is dedicated to improving the lives of those with muscle disease including muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases. It does so by funding worldwide research to find treatments and cures; by providing comprehensive health care services and support to MDA families nationwide; and by rallying communities to fight back through advocacy, fundraising and local engagement.