Coast Guard Foundation partners with Wawa Foundation to fund Morale and Wellness Projects

Wawa Area Manager Alex Mwale & Store Manager Brett Williams, along with Portsmouth, Virginia, Mayor Shannon Glover, present Ron LaBrec, from CG Foundation, with a $20,000 check to support Coast Guard members in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia & Florida © Coast Guard Foundation

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the Coast Guard community and service by supporting members and families, announced today it has received a $20,000 donation from the Wawa Foundation to fund morale and wellness programs for the Coast Guard's everyday heroes in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Portsmouth, Virginia; and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida, which all serve large populations of Coast Guard members and families.

If you say the name Wawa to someone living in the Mid-Atlantic or Florida, they will likely tell you how much they love Wawa's wide selection of coffee or fresh sandwiches. With 900 fuel and convenience stores across six states and Washington D.C., it is hard to miss their presence in those regions. But many don't know Wawa also operates a charitable foundation focused on health, hunger and everyday heroes.

"The Wawa Foundation's generous $20,000 grant will fund recreation and wellness programs for 2,300 Coast Guard members to help them stay fit and ready while working 24- to 48-hour search and rescue shifts and other demanding schedules at Coast Guard bases," said Susan Ludwig, president, Coast Guard Foundation. "We are thankful for Wawa's partnership with the Coast Guard Foundation to support these brave men and women who sacrifice so much to protect local communities and our nation."

Coast Guard units receive less than $50 per person annually from government allocations for wellness and recreation programs. Despite the physically demanding nature of Coast Guard missions, money for fitness and wellness simply cannot meet the need in many locations. The Coast Guard Foundation fills the gap by funding recreation and fitness projects, including more than 260 projects nationwide last year at Coast Guard units throughout the United States and its territories.

In addition to protecting boaters and swimmers, Coast Guard members enforce maritime laws, and preserve the marine environment for the enjoyment of local citizens and those who make their living from the sea. They are also an important partner in the public safety community by working with municipal and state authorities daily to serve local citizens.

To learn more about the Coast Guard Foundation, or to help support its work, please visit www.coastguardfoundation.org or call (860) 535-0786.