Nittany MinitMart’s fifth annual “Fuel the Cause” campaign raised $176,934 for volunteer fire companies in central and northern Pennsylvania, the State College-based company announced on Thursday.
The fundraiser started in March and concluded in June, surpassing last year’s record total by more than $25,000.
“We just want this fundraiser to keep growing,” Nicole Masullo, Nittany MinitMart division manager, said. “Every year, we put more time into planning, getting sponsorships and doing everything we can to get the word out there.”
Since the campaign’s inception in 2019, Nittany MinitMart has raised more than half a million dollars for the 38 volunteer fire companies that serve each of its stores. In Centre County, that includes Alpha Fire Company in State College and Hope and Reliance fire companies in Philipsburg.
Nittany MinitMart and Pennsylvania Skill games each contributed one cent per gallon of gas sold to the fundraiser. Coke, Pepsi, Jack Links, Utz, McAneny Foods and Red Bull also sponsored the campaign.
Customers contributed by rounding up their purchases at checkout, buying special fire company merchandise and ordering from a special Firehouse Foods menu, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting the campaign.
“The most important part of ‘Fuel the Cause’ is our customers,” Masullo said. “We’re beyond grateful for the support from our customers, sponsors and community, who come together every year to make this event even bigger and better, and who help us give back to the volunteer firefighters who keep us safe.”
The support comes as fire companies statewide continue to see a decline in volunteers. In the past 50 years, the number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania has dropped by almost 90%, from around 300,000 in 1970 to just over 30,000 in 2023, according to the Pennsylvania State Fire Commission.
Donated funds, in turn, help volunteer firefighters spend more time helping their communities and less time worrying about how to raise money.
“Your contributions make a real difference in the lives of our local firefighters and the safety of our communities,” Masullo said. “Every cent donated helped contribute to our total, so we want to thank every single person who participated.”
Nittany MinitMart also petitioned the governor’s office this year to recognize volunteer fire companies and bring more attention to their cause. Gov. Josh Shapiro proclaimed April 14-20, 2024 as Volunteer Firefighter Recognition Week.
