Casey’s General Stores Raises $1.35 Million for MDA Summer Camp

Casey’s General Stores  customers contributed $1.35 million in August to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association‘s 2017 Summer Camp, where children living with MD enjoy a week of fun and make new friends at no cost to their families.

Since the fundraising campaign was launched in 2006, $9 million has been raised to make these camps fully-accessible and medically-safe for all campers. MDA also provides meals and snacks for all children, 24-hour medical staff on site, lodging for the full week and customized activities like swimming, horseback riding, zip-lining, adaptive sports and others.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Casey’s General Stores employees and customers who opened their hearts to help individuals with muscle-debilitating diseases live longer and grow stronger,” Sabrina Hughes, MDA national director of retail partnerships, said in a press release. “Because of this year’s pinup donations, we will be able to help give local kids the invaluable, life-changing experience of attending MDA Summer Camp where they will have the chance to gain important life skills to help them face daily challenges that having a muscle-debilitating disease can often bring,” she said.

From Aug. 1-31, Casey’s and its associates in 15 states sold $1 and $5 pinups to their customers to donate to to the MDA Summer Camp. This year’s campaign also included a “buy two, get one free” coupon for 7UP products.

Casey’s is a long-time supporter of MDA’s mission. Not only do all stores help raise funds for MDA Summer Camp each year, they also organize year-round local events to support families coping with MD. One of these events, Casey’s MDA Muscle Team Dinner and Auction, will take place Nov. 16.

Casey’s also encourages employees to become involved in local activities and volunteer work, and they  often are personally involved in the organization of the summer camps across the Midwest. They help provide meals and snacks to campers and sometimes also monitor children throughout the week.

“During the last 11 years, Casey’s employees and customers have devoted time to raise vital funds for individuals living with muscle-debilitating diseases in our communities,” said Terry Handley, Casey’s president and CEO. “We’re honored to put our collective strength behind sending some amazing kids to MDA Summer Camp where they will have a chance to discover new interests and independence in an environment without limits.”