Each month throughout the remainder of the year, Fueling Good will reward community heroes who support local charities and service organizations across the country.
September's finalist is Bonnie Marriam of Clayton, who started The Nickelby Project to bring joy to children across North Carolina who are suffering from cancer. Throughout the years, the project has grown to encompass thousands of children in at least 28 states.
If the final votes show that the project is the winner, the organization will win a CITGO gift card valued at a year's supply of fuel.
Other finalists include, an individual who distributes gifts to low income elderly people in Chicago, a mobile reading program which supports underprivileged children in Tampa, an organization which provides financial support to breast cancer patients in New Jersey and a Maryland-based High School for children with special needs.
According to The Nickleby Project's Web site, the organization got its start after Marriam's son, Nick, fought a battle with T-Cell Lymphoma cancer at age six. Nick was in and out of the hospital frequently receiving chemotherapy, spinal taps and other treatments.
On the Fueling Good Web site, Nick's mother wrote: "When my son Nick was diagnosed with cancer at age six, our life was turned upside down. He was hospitalized for two years and missed grades of school while our family focused on helping him fight this cancer.
"We had no idea that children lived for years away from home and family so after Nick's battle we started a foundation to help bring smiles to these children and hope to the families still struggling. The foundation came from an idea Nick and his cousin Shelby had to visit these kids and bring gifts, comfort items and sometimes meals for the parents, just to let them know that others care. The Nickelby Project grew from serving one hospital and to date has delivered thousands of bags to children in over 28 states."
Nick is in remission and along with his cousin, Shelby, he diligently works to help children who are still suffering from cancer.
This past year, Nick was awarded the Outstanding Young Philanthropist Award for his initiative in starting and running The Nickelby Project and his volunteer work with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
The Nickelby Project accepts any and all forms of donations. Since donated items are going to cancer patients, items must be new and clean. To donate, send a check to The Nickelby Project or mail items to 289 Reeder Branch Drive, Clayton, N.C. 27520. For more information, go to www. NickelbyProject. org.
Fueling Good
Know a local hero such as Nick? CITGO's program works like this. Local community heroes submit their personal stories of how they support their communities to www.FuelingGood.com. Five finalists will be selected from the entries and posted to the Fueling Good Web site. Then America will vote each month on the cause and the individual they think is doing the most good. The entry each month that receives the most votes from the American public will win a CITGO gift card valued at a year's supply of fuel from CITGO. The other four finalists will win $50 CITGO gift cards. The monthly promotion runs through November, with a "last chance" round of voting in December for all the remaining finalists of the previous six months.
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