Clark Gas & Oil donated $68,500 to local non-profit organizations and Patrick County Schools during its traditional giving back to the community event held on February 26.
Blair Clark, president of the company, said the business began the practice of donating more than 25 years ago.
“My parents taught us that when we’re blessed, we should share. We’re part of this community. We’re in this community, and we’re a part of it. That’s why we give back,” Clark said, adding that he believes supporting organizations is the best way to give back. Most, he added, touch nearly every aspect and each part of the county. He noted that almost every organization is also comprised solely of volunteers.
Recipients 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); Bull Mountain Arts; Patrick County Christmas Cheer; Rotary Club of Stuart; 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.
Clark said the organizations and schools were chosen to receive the donations because the company feels it represents most of the community outcroppings.
“For instance, we give Safety Rope a little larger” donation, “but we know clients that need help with fuel bills. We use that as a way to help them get through the winter,” he said.
Clark said the amount of the year’s contributions depends “with how good a year we had.”
The company also works through the Rotary Foundation and separate contributions to provide scholarships.
“We’re trying to give back to all of the community as much as we can. We share if we have good years. We’ve been fortunate we’ve been able to do it every year. We almost budget for it,” he said.
Across its service area, which includes Patrick, Floyd, and Carroll counties, Clark said $116,000 was donated this year.
