Honoring 60th anniversary: $6,000 donated to each of United Way of Central Oklahoma’s 68 partner agencies

OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug. 9, 2024 - In honor of Love's 60th anniversary, the company surprised United Way of Central Oklahoma's (UWCO) 68 partner agencies by donating $6,000 to each in recognition of its 60th anniversary and to honor the 25-year partnership between the two organizations.

The $408,000 total donation is expected to help address issues ranging from homelessness to food insecurities and crisis intervention. Love's Chief Culture Officer Jenny Love Meyer and President Shane Wharton surprised the partner agencies with the news at the company's corporate offices on Aug.

"Love's is very proud of our legacy with United Way of Central Oklahoma, and we continue to be inspired when we see the result of their efforts - real, measurable differences in the lives of Oklahomans," Love Meyer said. "Supporting the United Way is a multi-generational effort that started with my parents and has continued to grow within our family and our more than 3,000 corporate employees. We are excited to pay tribute to our partnership through this donation during our 60th anniversary and look forward to our annual fall fundraising campaign in November."

In honor of UWCO's centennial milestone and celebration in 2023, Love's participated in a variety of ways. During the annual fall campaign, nearly half of corporate employees generously reached into their pockets, participated in an auction, raffle or chili cook off to raise $1.3 million (including company match). Wharton served as the UWCO 2023-2024 board chair and was part of Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt proclaiming 2023 as the Year of United Way. The company also wrapped one of its Gemini fuel tanker trucks with 100th anniversary branding to show the pride of their relationship as it travels through the region.

While the financial component of the partnership is significant, UWCO is ingrained in Love's culture because of a focus on multi-generational giving. And not only Love family members, but leaders of the company.

Following in the footsteps of Tom and Judy to help leave a very lasting impact is near and dear to much of the family but especially second-generation Love Meyer and third-generation Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy Francie Koop. Alongside her Mom, Love Meyer helped start the Women's Leadership Society with a few other female philanthropic leaders in the community. She continued to stay engaged through steering committees and cabinets and is the next campaign co-chair. Koop is part of the Emerging Leaders Steering Committee and co-chaired Love's 2023 campaign along with Tim Doty, Love's vice president of corporate development and growth initiatives.

"Each year, I'm inspired by Love's and its team members' meaningful support for United Way, an organization that touches countless lives and strengthens communities," Koop said. "This year is particularly exciting as United Way marks a Century of Compassion and Love's celebrates its 60th anniversary, showcasing shared community impact across generations."

While not family members, Wharton and Doty are two wonderful examples (among countless more within Love's) of leaders who have continued to grow their community involvement within UWCO. Wharton started as a community investment volunteer for many years, then a volunteer, a committee co-chair, sat on the Community Investment Committee and then became a board member. His wife Lori is also active with the organization as she co-chaired a campaign with him and is the co-chair of the Women's Leadership Society. Doty has gone through a similar growth journey. He was a donor, became an emerging leader and sat on the Emerging Leaders Steering Committee, became the chair of Emerging Leaders, has been on the campaign cabinet for several years, and now sits on UWCO's strategic growth committee. He is looking at UWCO's next 100 years and how they are going to evolve as an organization.

Love's annual fall giving campaign for UWCO will be held Nov. 11-22.

About Love's

Love's has been fueling customers' journeys since 1964. Innovation and perseverance continue to lead the way for the family-owned and -operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City with nearly 40,000 team members in North America and Europe. The company's core business is travel stops and convenience stores with 648 locations in 42 states. Love's continues its commitment to offer products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, four-wheel customers, RVers, alternative fuel and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities Love's serves and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace are hallmarks of the company's award-winning culture. To find out more about Love's, follow us on social or apply for a job, click here.