Corpus Christi, Texas – Jan. 27, 2013 – The CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery joined the American G.I. Forum Beatrice T. Perez, Robstown’s Women Chapter on Friday, Jan. 17 at the Harold T. Branch Career and Technology Academy to  celebrate the 100th birthday of its Founder, Dr. Hector P. Garcia by honoring local veterans and students. The organization also honored fellow veteran, Larry R. Elizondo, Sr. with a Leadership Achievement Award. During his six year tenure as Government & Public Affairs Manager, Corpus Christi Refinery, the ‘Hands for Hillcrest’ grant program was launched. The program offers grants to Corpus Christi based non-profit organizations to support efforts that aim to improve the quality of life for residents in the Hillcrest neighborhood.

 

The American G.I. Forum, Beatrice T. Perez Robstown Women’s Chapter honored Dr. Garcia by awarding scholarships to 3 veterans as well as computer tablets to 38 students from the junior class of the Harold T. Branch Career and Technology Academy.

 

“At CITGO, we proudly support the community where we live and work. We are honored to join the American G.I. Forum Beatrice T. Perez, Robstown’s Women Chapter in honoring veterans and helping provide educational tools to students from the Harold T. Branch Career and Technology Academy,” said Mark Avelar, Government & Public Affairs Manager, CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery.

 

Serving as the sponsor for the American GI Forum, Beatrice T. Perez Robstown Women’s Chapter Veterans’ Reception is one of the many ways the CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery advances education, environment, health, and job development in the region. These areas are also supported by the “Hands for Hillcrest” program, now in its second year of a 1.5 million dollar commitment, which has provided grants for services to the Hillcrest community related to education and job skills, health and the environment.

 

The CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery benefits the community in other ways by directly employing more than 1,000 local residents and generating more than $625 million per year in support of the local economy through salaries, services and taxes.

 

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.