CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – May 4, 2026 – Hundreds of athletes from around South Texas met in Corpus Christi for the Special Olympics Area 2 Spring Games on April 18. For the 28th year, the CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery (CCR) was proud to be the presenting sponsor for this inclusive community event. This also marks 33 years of overall support for Special Olympics which provides world-class, Olympic-style competitions for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

The Spring Games were held at Tuloso-Midway High School for a second straight year and welcomed 18 delegations representing school districts and communities from Corpus Christi to Victoria. TeamCITGO played a valuable role in a large volunteer effort to escort teams during opening ceremonies, assist athletes during events, and cheer on athletes during competition. Jennifer Lira, CCR Public Affairs Manager, also served as emcee during the Spring Games opening ceremonies.

“CITGO remains deeply committed to this longstanding partnership with Special Olympics. The Spring Games event is a great example of the powerful impact of financial and volunteer support,” said Ryan Vining, Vice President and General Manager, CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery. “We are grateful to Special Olympics for celebrating these athletes and allowing TeamCITGO to help the families create lasting memories.”

"Our partnership with CITGO is truly impactful for the athletes we serve. Their generosity and hands-on involvement help bring our Spring Games to life, creating moments of joy, confidence, and achievement for every participant,” said Sheri Stinson, Community Outreach Director – Corpus Christi for Special Olympics. “We are proud to stand alongside a partner that is so deeply committed to our mission."

About CITGO
CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry and operates under the well-known CITGO brand. CITGO owns and operates three refineries located in Lake Charles, La.; Lemont, Ill.; and Corpus Christi, Texas, and wholly and/or jointly owns 43 active terminals, eight pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,600 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 829,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO ranks as the fifth largest and is one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products, and supplies a network of approximately 4,000 locally owned