Clark Gas & Oil donated $59,000 to local non-profit organizations during its traditional giving back to the community event held on February 14.
Blair Clark, president, said the business began the practice of reinvesting in the communities it serves more than 20 years ago.
“We’re part of the community, and we want to give back to the community. Our parents, B and Coates Clark, raised us that way,” he said.
Clark said he and his sister Anna Lester, make up the third generation of the Clark family. “So, we’ve just continued on with our parents’ legacy. We feel we’re blessed with business; we want to give it back to the community.”
While the family has donated a lot of money over the years, Clark said it’s not as enjoyable as it once was due to inflation and other factors.
However, he said he considers the agencies supported with funding to be ministries.
“They’re really helping a broad spectrum of folks who are struggling,” he said.
Eighteen organizations and six schools received the donations.
Organizations include Safety Rope; the Reynolds Homestead; Caring Hearts Free Clinic of Patrick County; Patrick County Food Bank; Patrick County Alzheimer’s Association, LLC; Patrick County Developmental Center; PARC Workshop; Dan River Basin Association (DRBA); Ararat Volunteer Fire Department; Meadows of Dan Volunteer Fire Department; Moorefield Store Volunteer Fire Department; Patrick Springs Volunteer Fire Department; Patrick Henry Volunteer Fire Department; Smith River Rescue Squad; Stuart Volunteer Fire Department; Vesta Rescue Squad; Woolwine Volunteer Fire Department, and JEB Stuart Rescue Squad.
The six schools are Meadows of Dan Elementary School; Patrick Springs Primary School; Stuart Elementary School; Hardin Reynolds Memorial School; Blue Ridge Elementary School, and Woolwine Elementary School.
Since the company started the annual donations, Clark said “over $1 million for sure” has been donated.
In total, Clark said $102,500 was donated this year in the three counties in Clark Gas & Oil’s service area, which in addition to Patrick, includes Floyd and Carroll counties.
