RICHMOND, VA — GPM Investments, LLC (“GPM”) a subsidiary of ARKO Corp., raised over $2 million for the mission of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) since 2011, and raised more than $193,000 in customer donations during its 13th annual holiday pinup campaign in 2023. GPM, with the support of its customers, holds the annual campaign to benefit MDA’s work to accelerate research, advance care, and advocate for access to empower people of all ages living with muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), and related neuromuscular diseases.
“We’re grateful for our customers and dedicated employees who make this important fundraiser successful every year, giving children and young adults living with neuromuscular diseases the life changing opportunity of MDA Summer Camp, where they experience joy and understanding with friends and devoted counselors,” said Arie Kotler, GPM Investments, LLC, President and CEO. “We’re humbled by our employee and community engagement in support of families in our local community desire from in which we living with neuromuscular diseases.”
GPM stores participated in the fundraiser, giving customers the option to purchase an MDA pinup for $1 or $5, or round up their purchase, to help accelerate treatments and cures for muscle disease. Each customer who purchased a pinup received coupons as GPM’s way of saying “thank you” for their generosity. All signed pinups were prominently displayed in each store.
“The generous support from GPM Investments’ customers and employees directly improves the lives of local MDA families. Their giving enables Muscular Dystrophy Association to expand access to multidisciplinary Care Centers at seven locations across Virginia and to make transformational experiences at MDA’s Summer Camp a reality for area children living with neuromuscular disease,” said Donald S. Wood, PhD, President and CEO, Muscular Dystrophy Association. Contributions to MDA’s mission through partnerships like this one with GPM Investments, have helped to bring about more than 20 FDA approved treatments for neuromuscular diseases since 2015 and more clinical trials than ever before. “
With the help of the communities and local associates participating in this program, MDA funds ground-breaking research and provide critical services to families who are counting on us, paving a new path forward in understanding muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases and enabling innovations in research, treatment and care.
About Muscular Dystrophy Association
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. For over 70 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating for the support of our families. MDA’s mission is to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives. To learn more visit mda.org and follow MDA on Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
About ARKO Corp. and GPM Investments, LLC
ARKO Corp. (Nasdaq: ARKO) is a Fortune 500 company that owns 100% of GPM Investments, LLC and is one of the largest operators of convenience stores and wholesalers of fuel in the United States. Based in Richmond, VA, we operate A Family of Community Brands that offer delicious, prepared foods, beer, snacks, candy, hot and cold beverages, and multiple popular quick serve restaurant brands. Our high value fas REWARDS® loyalty program offers exclusive savings on merchandise and gas. We operate in four reportable segments: retail, which includes convenience stores selling merchandise and fuel products to retail customers; wholesale, which supplies fuel to independent dealers and consignment agents; GPM Petroleum, which sells and supplies fuel to our retail and wholesale sites and charges a fixed fee, primarily to our fleet fueling sites; and fleet fueling, which includes the operation of proprietary and third-party cardlock locations, and issuance of proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites. To learn more about GPM stores, visit: www.gpminvestments.com. To learn more about ARKO, visit: www.arkocorp.com.