Cenex Awards Free Fuel as a Way to Say Thanks

Inver Grove Heights based Cenex has launched a new program to recognize and reward people "who go above and beyond for their community," according to a company release. The program is dubbed Tanks of Thank and gives free fuel to some who make their communities just a little bit better.

Each month, 12 nominees will be drawn at random to receive a Tanks of Thanks gift card worth $50.

"In every Minnesota community, there are people doing good things every day. A neighbor who organizes the summer barbeque, a parent who volunteers to coach the youth soccer team, the teenager who helps shovel a neighbor’s driveway," the release said. "The Tanks of Thanks program gives Cenex retailers, customers and anyone else in the community a new way to say ‘thank you’ to neighbors, friends and family by recognizing their good deeds and nominating them for free fuel from their local Cenex retail location."

Anyone can nominate or be nominated for any act of kindness by visiting www.tanksofthanks.com and describing why someone deserves a Tank of Thanks. The site also features other nominations, as well as winners, from communities across the country.

Kayte Haaland, CHS refined fuels brand marketing manager, said the Cenex brand has a history in serving rural communities and smaller towns across the nation and company leaders realize it’s small acts of kindness making communities healthy and happy places to live.

"These acts of kindness do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Tanks of Thanks is our way to celebrate these good deeds and encourage others to contribute to their communities," Haaland said.

The plan is to have to promotion around for a while.

"Tanks of Thanks is not a seasonal promotion or one-time deal. CHS is planning to commit to the Tanks of Thanks program as a multi-year campaign," Haaland said.

In addition to the monthly drawing, each Cenex dealer or retailer can also give away Tanks of Thanks gift cards to reward individuals they see doing good in their local communities. By the end of 2012, it is anticipated that Tanks of Thanks will have recognized more than 2,500 people in small and rural communities across the country.

"Nearly all of the more than 1,400 Cenex brand dealer and retail locations are locally owned and operated, and play an active role in their communities," says Haaland. "The Tanks of Thanks program is simply another way for our Cenex dealers and retailers to show their communities that ‘We’re with you.’ "