ST. PAUL - Cenex, the CHS Energy brand, announced that the Tanks of Thanks program rewarded more than 2,600 people with nearly $132,000 in free fuel in 2012. This month kicks off the second year of the program, which recognizes and rewards people??s good deeds with $50 Tanks of Thanks gift cards redeemable at any Cenex retail location.

In the program??s second year, CHS and Cenex retailers will continue sharing stories of people who are making a difference in their communities and rewarding their contributions with free fuel. The Cenex Tanks of Thanks program is part of the We??re With You campaign, which CHS launched in 2012 to help inspire and reward Cenex retailers to showcase their commitment to the communities they serve.

"Nearly all of the 1,400 Cenex retail locations are locally owned and operated," said Akhtar Hussain, CHS refined fuels brand marketing manager, in a press release. "Cenex retailers are proud to be an active part of their communities and the Cenex Tanks of Thanks program is one way CHS is helping our retailers celebrate their customers and their communities."

The Tanks of Thanks program encourages Cenex retailers, customers, friends and families to visit tanksofthanks.com and nominate someone they know who deserves recognition for his or her contributions to the community. Each nomination is shared on tanksofthanks.com and is entered for a chance to receive free fuel.

"Nominating someone for Tanks of Thanks is easy, and anyone can nominate or be nominated for any act of kindness - big or small," said Hussain. "There is no limit to the number of people someone can nominate."

Each month, 100 nominees are drawn at random to receive a Tanks of Thanks gift card worth $50 at any Cenex retail location. In addition to the monthly drawing, CHS enables each Cenex retailer to personally reward people they see doing good in their communities with $50 Tanks of Thanks gift cards ($300 per retailer per year).