On July 24, the convenience store industry will come together to celebrate local heroes within their communities on what’s known as 24/7 Day. This day honors first responders, police, fire, EMTs, doctors, nurses, health practitioners, medical personnel, 9-1-1 professionals and Red Cross volunteers, all of whom work around the clock to support our communities.
This year the event’s theme is “Here for Heroes, Here for You.” Across the United States, over 60 retailers and suppliers, representing 30,000 stores, will each have an offer for any first responder in uniform or with a badge. Some of the deals include free coffee, meals or merchandise. Other convenience stores, like Wawa, will mail out 15,000 free hot beverage coupons to American Red Cross volunteers.
“The 24/7 Day celebration was born from the realization that there is a deep connection between first responders and the convenience store community. Our mutual workforce provides essential services in times of great need, while also acting as a reliable and safe hub for connection and socialization,” said Stephanie Sikorski, executive director of the NACS Foundation. “We’ve heard too often that ‘nothing good happens after zero-dark-thirty,’ but our research shows that these small hours are actually when first responders and convenience stores unite across a range of critical community efforts, from setting up for a disaster relief effort or simply getting a healthy snack or drink during a shift to keep energy high. We are proud to support these efforts, which keep our communities strong.”
“We hope you will join us in supporting the heroes who are always here for us, helping others and giving so much of themselves in times of incredible need,” said Nathan Measom, director of cause marketing for the American Red Cross. “Our continued partnership with the NACS Foundation is one of the most important ways we highlight the work done each year in communities across the United States, which is not often seen by the public. It’s our honor to shine a light on these heroes and thank them for their incredible effort.”
The event will also raise money and awareness for the American Red Cross. Participating stores include 1-Stop, Admiral, Allsup’s and Yesway, Apple Market, BreadBox, Casey’s, Certified Oil, CFCA, Cumberland Farms, Delek, Enmarket, Express Stop, E-Z Mart, fas mart, fastmarket, Fastrac, FavTrip, Flash Market, Garrett’s Family Market and Rapid Refill Convenience Stores, Handy Mart, High’s, Hop Shops, Huck’s, Jiffi Stop, Jiffy Stop Food Marts, KwikShop, Loaf ‘N Jug, Li’l Cricket, Loop Neighborhood Markets, Minit Mart, Next Door Store, OnCue, On the Run, Onvo, Poppy Market, Pride, Quarles, QuickStop Markets, R Store, RaceTrac, Roadrunner Markets, Rutter’s, Scotchman, Sheetz, shore stop, Sprint Food Stores, Sprint Mart, St. Romain Oil Co./Y-Not Stop, The Convenience Group, The Hub Convenience Stores, The Markets of Tiger Fuel Company, Tom Thumb, Town Star, TXB, Turkey Hill Minit Markets, UNCLE’s, Village Pantry, Young’s, and Wawa and The Wawa Foundation.
This year, supplier partners including Keurig Dr Pepper, NENA: The 9-1-1 Association and GSTV are also supporting 24/7 Day through a range of efforts and offers.
A full list of participants, as well as what each store is offering, is available at 247Day.org.
Read more about 24/7 day from Stephanie Sikorski in the July issue of NACS Magazine.