CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Stripes Convenience Stores raised more than $525,000 at its annual Turf + Surf event fundraiser benefiting 38 United Way agencies across the chain’s market areas: Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The event was held on September 26 and 27, 2013, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The Annual Turf + Surf fundraiser is a signature event for Stripes Convenience Stores. “I am very proud of our Stripes team, our generous suppliers and the power of our partnership with The United Way as we serve the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Steve DeSutter, Stripes Convenience Stores president and CEO, during an address to a crowd of more than 850 participants, supplier partners and sponsors at the American Bank Center. He also recognized representatives from several United Way agencies throughout the tri-state area. Currently, DeSutter serves as past-chair of the board of directors for the United Way Chapter of the Coastal Bend.

The fundraiser featured an appreciation dinner with a raffle, silent auction, a bid board auction, and a live auction. The festivities continued the next morning with three rounds of golf with celebrity golf pro David Stockton and a fishing tournament. Stockton also hosted a private clinic for premium sponsors and offered golf tips to participants in the tournament.