[caption id="attachment_1567" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Buckner International received $10,00 from Valero. The money will go to the Buckner boys and girls living in residential foster group care, the Assessment Center and Emergency Shelter on the Buckner Children’s Village campus. It will also benefit children in foster care, the foster-to adopt program, Buckner STAR Program and other programs serving children aging out of the foster care."][/caption]

By Analiz G. Schremmer
BEAUMONT, Texas — Valero Energy Corporation donated $10,000 to Buckner Children and Family Services in Southeast Texas on Oct. 15.

“It is part of Valero’s culture to give back to the communities in which our facilities are located,” said Barbara Phillips, public affairs manager at the Valero Port Arthur refinery.
The donation came from the 2009 Valero Texas Open Benefit for Children Golf Classic Charity, in which Valero gave $215,000 to 12 children’s charities.

“What happens is that our employees turn in nominations and then after they are reviewed, there is a selection committee of employees that decides how the funds will be distributed and they felt that Buckner should get a gift,” Phillips said.

“The Valero donation means so much to us,” said Rhonda O’Neill, Buckner development officer in Beaumont. “With unemployment on the rise, and people facing so many uncertainties, stress and abuse is unfortunately not uncommon, and the needs of those we serve have never been more pronounced. The Valero gift will go a long way in helping meet the needs of the abused and neglected Southeast Texas children that call Buckner “home”.

Laura May, Administrator of Buckner Children & Family Services in Southeast Texas added, “It’s also encouraging to know that the Valero employees have selected Buckner as their charity of choice …that they want to partner with us, and truly a make a difference in our children’s lives. These are Southeast Texas children, and taking care of their needs is something that we need to do as a community. It is everyone’s responsibility, and Valero takes it to heart and does something about it.”

To make a donation to support Buckner services in Beaumont, click here and write “Beaumont” in the designation.

The 12 recipients of the Valero 2009 Texas Open Benefit for Children Golf Classic Charity pose together for a picture. Valero gave $215,000 to 12 children’s charities.

The funds donated to Buckner will benefit the boys and girls living in residential foster group care, the Assessment Center and Emergency Shelter on the Buckner Children’s Village campus. It will also benefit children in foster care, the foster-to adopt program, Buckner STAR Program and other programs serving children aging out of the foster care.