Tag Archives: Valero

Restoring Hope

A new stainless steel serving area is one of the many upgrades that allows for an easier and more pleasant dining experience for the students and staff of Holy Family Institute.
A new stainless steel serving area is one of the many upgrades that allows for an easier and more pleasant dining experience for the students and staff of Holy Family Institute.

Restoring Hope

Entering the Institute, there were many mentally handicapped people being cared for by teachers and volunteers. One young man was upset and screeching and hitting and bashing himself in the head over and over. Transcending any creed, the kindness and patience that was shown to this man was inspirational and humbling. This care was humankind at its best. Witnessing this episode would make a healthy person feel shame about anguishing over some of life’s trivial problems.

Transforming Lives

Societal problems linked to poverty are in the forefront of our culture’s lexicon. Holy Family Institute does its best to address these tribulations, quandaries, and so much more. While its name denotes a religious connotation, it is truly a community-outreach organization. In Pittsburgh, Holy Family Institute extends services to at-risk children and families including: Residential Programs, In-home Family Counseling, Substance Abuse Services, Mental Health Counseling, Youth Workforce Development, Parent-Child Literacy Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Energy Assistance Programs. But there is a limit to its economic resources.

Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Hope: Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.” While Holy Family Institute accomplishes so much good, because of opportunity cost, the present dining room and hallway were cheerless. Countywide Petroleum chose to remodel and beautify the dining room and hallway. Countywide bought new tables and chairs and other necessary items to complete this transformation, and make the dining experience there pleasurable for everyone involved. Where we sit down to eat and what we see in our lives influences the way we feel. The payoff is the dining room is now bright, cheerful, magnificent, and functional, which will change the attitudes and aspirations and the quality of life for the residents, students, families and staff that use the facility.

Change for Change

Residents in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas saw a donation-jug in over one-hundred gas station/convenience stores labeled “Change for Change.” They were in the “BP Fueland Stores,” and most Valero stores accompanied by a postcard that illustrates all of Holy Family Institute’s virtuous work. The money collected in these donation jugs went towards the dining room project at Holy Family Institute.

About BP’s Fueling Communities Program

The BP Fueling Communities Program provides grants to local organizations that are nominated by BP’s Branded Marketers to support the communities in which they do business. The Program gives back to local organizations that support health, education, youth, food and housing to spread charity and good will.

Countywide Petroleum Company is grateful for the previous help it received from the BP Fueling Communities Program in its quest to fight Ovarian Cancer and Hunger in Haiti, and to spread goodwill in its community. Countywide Petroleum Company looks forward to continuing to make a difference in the world in which we live. Gandhi said “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

A Brand Means a Commitment to the Community

Brand ExportedIn different ways, BP, Valero and Sunoco all demonstrate good will by community involvement. When you brand your station, you echo these commendable sentiments. Confirming their commitment to the community, here are just a few of the recent charitable endeavors in which Countywide Petroleum Company took the lead.

Countywide was a principal sponsor of “Teal Ribbon Comedy,” an Ovarian Cancer Research Benefit starring Billy Gardell of the hit show “Mike and Molly,” to support the Magee-Womens Research Institute in their goal to find a cure for Ovarian Cancer. Countywide Petroleum tried to do their part to help fight this dreaded disease.

Countywide Petroleum also supported “Hearts for the Hungry,” a relief effort to feed and care for starving children in Haiti. With food, medical care and educational services, this charity offers opportunities to the children of a nation that has many difficulties, but endless possibilities. The main goal of this worthy charity is to provide these children with hope and courage for the future

Countywide also provided funding for the “Holy Family Dining Project,” to benefit a Pittsburgh Institute that incorporates Residential Programs; Family Counseling, Substance Abuse Services; Specialized Schools; Mental Health Counseling; Youth Workforce Development; a Parent-Child Literacy Program; a Nutrition Program and Energy Assistance Programs.  Holy Family Institute takes care of children who are alone in this world, and who need a helping hand. Through its own efforts and others, including BP and Valero, Countywide Petroleum built a beautiful dining facility to brighten the lives of these children, and the staff who care for them.

Brand your station and take a lively helpful role in your community. Countywide Petroleum Company proudly chooses to take a dynamic constructive role in the world in which we live.

The Little Things

Tony Martin Spotlight Interview Photo Small

There are plenty of gas stations, convenience stores, and auto repair shops out there that offer the necessities at average pricing, but succeeding in today’s competitive market requires those extra “little things.” Be they gestures, actions, or words these little things can spark a turning point in your life or keep you on the path to greatness. This is the mindset of Tony Martin, a down-to earth, free hearted man who found his niche as an entrepreneur.

One such “little thing” still resonates in Tony’s mind, even though it happened over 20 years ago. In 1985, Tony was a young man taking his first steps into the business world when he was hired by Gibb Chevrolet to wash cars. The job itself may have seemed menial, but Tony put his heart and soul into it. He loved meeting the diversity of people and wanted every customer who drove away to be completely satisfied and inclined to return. Tony’s boss was impressed and made a simple comment that with Tony’s smile, he should go into business for himself.

Tony Mart Logo SmallTony, being one of seven children, was used to fighting for what he wanted, but he questioned whether he really had what it took to be a businessman. The words of his boss stuck with Tony and he wanted to share his idea with a very special person in his life, his mother, Norma Martin. There was no hesitation on her part, she knew Tony had what it took. Norma only had $300 but she believed in him and was willing to give Tony a chance to make it on his own. His mother’s support was a monumental turning point in Tony’s life. “I wouldn’t be ‘Tony Martin’ without my mom,” Tony said with a smile.

Tony knew the path he wanted his life to take. This young, skinny, wet-behind-the-ears man had his mind set and jumped in with both feet. Tony rented an old building with dirt floors and only a little kerosene heater to provide warmth. He purchased 300 gallons of gasoline, a case of motor oil and opened “Tony Mart.” Back in the day, people only bought enough gasoline to drive to town and back. Tony made himself available from 9:00 in the morning until 6:00 at night, just a little thing that meant a lot to his customers. If someone needed one gallon of gas Tony was pleased to meet them and more than happy to service them. It was a memorable moment when a customer filled their tank for the first time at Tony Mart. $27 in a single transaction! The possibilities were endless that day. Tony proceeded cautiously, slowly buying more, doing his best to provide his customers anything and everything they wanted.

Tony Mart Before Photo

Tony’s customer base was growing and he did his best to keep pace, never letting his values or quality of service suffer. Tony focused on the little things. He greeted customers by their names, ordered the merchandise they preferred, and charged fair prices. He hired competent employees who were eager to learn and willing to develop the skills needed to provide Tony’s standard of excellent customer service. He mostly hired young, inexperienced workers who were grateful for the opportunity. These workers respected Tony and were compelled to do their best for him. He knew he was given a chance by his mom, and strove to pay it forward.

Customers respected Tony and appreciated all the little things he did at Tony Mart. Positive word of mouth spread in town as loyal customers told their friends and family of the excellent service. As word spread, Tony recognized an opportunity to expand his business and started providing tire repair services. Before he knew it, he was repairing tires, selling tires and even performing related auto services. He eventually became a licensed Goodyear dealer.

In 2012, Tony Mart was branded Valero by Countywide Petroleum Company, and the station underwent a transformation with a new canopy, POS system and new dispensers that provided customers the option to pay at the pump with credit cards. Tony received customized graphics that breathed new life into his store. With the assistance of Countywide Petroleum Company, Tony has been able to double the size of his convenience store and significantly increase his fuel sales. With more efficient methods of operating in place, Tony has been freed up to put more time into his tire shop. His business is thriving, his customers are happy, and he is making life better for him and his family. Tony’s wife Angie was there for him at the start of his journey. He is so thankful for her love and support, as well as that of their two sons, Cory and Chris. Tony has immense gratitude for the support of Countywide Petroleum Company and will continue doing all the “little things” that make him Tony Martin. Thank you mom!

Tony Mart After Photo