Corpus Christi, Texas – April 4, 2014 – The CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery will once again be participating in the Special Olympics Texas Area 2 Spring Games at Cabaniss Field this coming Saturday,  April 5.

Now in its 31st year, the annual games will involve more than 1,200 athletes and over 100 coaches representing 16 area counties. CITGO is proud to mark its 16th year as a presenting sponsor for the Spring Games and recognize the impact of more than 47,000 volunteers in Texas who currently dedicate their time to Special Olympics.

“At CITGO, we are honored to join the coaches and community volunteers at Special Olympics Texas in making the dreams of these young individuals come true. By empowering these individuals, we are strengthening the community in which we live and work.” said Mark Avelar, Government and Public Affairs Manager.

Special Olympics Texas is a privately funded non-profit organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect.

CITGO is proud to support the Special Olympics in providing opportunities for more than 44,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the Lone Star State to realize their potential in developing physical fitness, demonstrating courage and experiencing joy and friendship.

The CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery provides more than 1,000 jobs locally, while generating more than $625 million per year in support of the local economy through salaries, services and taxes. In addition to producing high quality fuels for its network of nearly 6,000 independently owned and operated CITGO branded stations across the country, Corpus Christi refinery employees make a major positive impact on the community. Over the last five years, CITGO and its employees have provided more than 13,000 volunteer hours and nearly $6 million dollars in support of community organizations such as United Way, Charlie’s Place, Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Miracle League, Catholic Charities, the Special Olympics and a variety of environmental and preservation initiatives, such as the revitalization of the Gateway to Corpus Christi, Hans and Pat Suter Park and Adopt-A-Beach Clean Up.

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products.  The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

For more information visit www.citgo.com.

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