[media-credit name=”Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation” align=”alignright” width=”227″]
[/media-credit]CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 22, 2012) –  All 425 locations under the VPS Convenience Store umbrella will launch fundraising campaigns beginning next week through Saturday, July 21 to support research and treatment at select pediatric cancer hospitals through a partnership with the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation.
For the past ten years, Village Pantry Stores and JG Foundation have worked together to make a difference in the lives of pediatric cancer patients at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. Village Pantry, in conjunction with its vendor partners, has raised more than two million dollars to date for childhood cancer research and treatment.
This year, the campaign will extend to all VPS sites including Village Pantry Stores, Scotchman Stores, Li’l Cricket Stores, Young’s Food Stores, Everyday Shops and Next Door Stores with locations throughout eight states. Each store will raise money to support a ranked children’s cancer hospital in its state.
“We’ve had a terrific partnership with Jeff Gordon and the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research through our Village Pantry Stores for the past ten years. This year, we are proud to expand our fundraising efforts to all 425 of our stores throughout eight states,” said Jeff Turpin, Chairman and CEO of VPS.
VPS Stores are located in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
“Village Pantry has been instrumental in helping the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation make a difference in the lives of children with cancer. Their support and outreach are bringing us that much closer to finding a cure. We are very thankful for their dedication and we look forward to a continued partnership with them,” said Jeff Gordon.
To learn more, visit www.vpsstores.com to find a store location near you or visit  www.jeffgordonchildrensfoundation.org.
Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation:
The Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation was established as a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization in 1999 by the four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion. The Foundation supports children battling pediatric cancer by funding programs that improve patients’ quality of life, treatment programs that increase survivorship and pediatric medical research dedicated to finding a cure. In addition, the foundation also supports the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital in Concord, NC. For more information visit www.jeffgordonchildrensfoundation.org.
VPS Convenience Store Group
VPS Convenience Store Group, headquartered in Wilmington, NC, operates 425 stores in eight states under six brand names including Scotchman, Village Pantry, Li’l Cricket, Young’s Food Stores, Everyday Shops and Next Door Stores. The VPS group is ranked 15th on the Convenience Store News Top 20 Company Operated Chains and sixth on the Grant Thornton North Carolina 100® list of top private companies. Last year, VPS helped raise more than $500,000 for charitable causes including Jeff Gordon’s Children Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Susan G. Komen Foundation and Support US Armed Forces.
