ALLEN PARK, Mich., Jan. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Local CITGO Marketer Atlas Oil Company has teamed up with the Autism Alliance of Michigan and former Michigan State basketball player Anthony Ianni for the 2013-2014 Relentless Tour: Ianni Project to raise anti-bullying awareness across the state. On Dec. 17th, Ianni traveled to Allen Park Middle School to share his story with students and encouraged them to become a part of the initiative. From there, Ianni made his way to the Brownstown CITGO location for the grand unveiling and fueling of the official 2013-2014 Relentless Tour Bus. Ianni spoke throughout three hour-long assemblies about his own struggles with bullying. The fueling and unveiling of the tour bus took place immediately following.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140110/PH44363 )
"We are very proud to team up with Anthony and the Autism Alliance of Michigan to support this important initiative," said Mary Zaleski, director of marketing at Atlas Oil Company. "Bullying is an issue for children and students across the country that must be addressed and we are happy to support such a great campaign, in hopes of putting an end to bullying in our community and across the country."
The 2013-2014 Relentless Tour: Ianni Project is a first-of-its-kind grass roots initiative designed to help eradicate bullying across Michigan. The tour will visit 659 schools spread across every Michigan school district over six months. After each stop, Ianni will leave behind a plaque to remind students of their commitment to end bullying.
After being diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder as a child, Ianni was told he would barely graduate from high school and would never have the opportunity to be an athlete. He beat the odds and went on to earn his Bachelor's Degree from Michigan State University and is the first known athlete with autism to play basketball in the Big Ten conference. After years of being bullied himself, Ianni has made it his mission to help those who face similar struggles and to end bullying by sharing his own story with students across the country.
The Autism Alliance of Michigan is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders through education, comprehensive services, coordinated advocacy, and cutting-edge research. For more information on their vision and initiatives, visit www.aaomi.org.
CITGO is committed to giving back to the local communities it serves through its network of locally owned stations. CITGO Marketers and Retailers in Michigan like Atlas Oil Company, own and operate nearly 300 CITGO locations and are proud to support their communities. For more information on the positive impact of the locally owned CITGO stations, visit www.fuelinggood.com.
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 Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.
SOURCE CITGO