It’s the month of paper hearts, thoughtful gifts and red décor. And at all of our travel centers, red paper hearts encompass a much deeper initiative – an initiative partnering with the American Heart Association’s Life is Why Campaign and fighting for healthier, longer lives via heart health.
Thanks to the generosity of our team members and guests, we’ve been able to raise more than $5 million in our stores for the American Heart Association these past five years. We’re thrilled to continue our support with even more ways to give, including heart-shaped eGift Cards!
This year, we’re expanding our efforts even further. From February 22-28, all proceeds at participating, Canadian Flying J stores will benefit the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. From $1, $3 and $5 red hearts to round-up purchases to online donations, you can support heart-health initiatives that make a meaningful impact in fighting against our country’s #1 killer: heart-disease.
Here are some ways you can participate with us:
- Paper Heart Icons: $1, $3 and $5 red hearts will be available for purchase at participating travel centers all February to benefit the American Heart Association and at Flying J locations in Canada from February 22-28 to benefit Heart & Stroke. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to each organization, respectively.
- Pin-Pad Round Up or Donation*: During the month of February, guests can round up their purchase to the nearest whole dollar or elect to donate other amounts to the American Heart Association on the pin-pad during checkout at participating U.S. travel centers. In Canada, guests can opt to round up or donate to Heart & Stroke through the cashier from February 22-28. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to each organization, respectively.
- eGift Cards: For every heart-themed Pilot Flying J eGift card sold in February, we will donate 10% of the proceeds to the American Heart Association, up to $10,000.
- Donate-Online: A donation link is available on the Pilot Flying J campaign website throughout the month of February to provide guests another convenient way to donate to the American Heart Association.
Grab a paper heart (or two) at one of our travel centers or purchase a heart-themed eGift Card in honor of someone you know who’s fighting against heart disease. For us at Pilot Company, our team is our ‘why.’ Here are just a few team-member stories below to kick off the month and stay tuned for more stories and heart-health tips from the American Heart Association over the coming weeks. And for more information on how you can support the American Heart Association, visit our website.
They Are Our ‘Why’
Frank McClure:
“In my vocation as a pastor, I’ve been praying bedside with individuals before they head into surgery. I’ve held the hands of family and friends who have lost loved ones to heart disease. I’ve shed tears of both grief and joy with folks as the surgeon walks out after an operation. Through it all, it has been my constant prayer that a cure for this disease would be found. I have seen the work and assistance provided by the American Heart Association long before joining Pilot Company, and have been a supporter of AHA for many years. I was overjoyed when Pilot began partnering with AHA and am so blessed to have a team that’s helped raise millions over these past few years. Thank you, Pilot Company!!!”
Gary Saunders:
Gary had no idea that his doctor’s visit for lingering heartburn was something more significant – something that was actually significant blockage in his three main arteries and required triple bypass surgery.
“He would sometimes leave for work by 3:15 a.m. and not come home until after 8 p.m., so when he was exhausted it didn’t seem strange,” his daughter said. “We never once thought it was heart disease.”
Keep reading about Gary’s story, who is now a team member at our store, here.
Hannah Lewis:
“My son Bennett was born with a rare and critical heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Basically, he only has half of his heart. At 6 days old, he had his first open-heart surgery. He spent nearly his first year of his life in the hospital where he suffered a stroke, brain bleeds, seizures, two more open-heart surgeries, multiple other surgeries and he went into cardiac arrest. After he turned two, he had two more open heart surgeries, totaling in at five. That hospital stay became a long one as well, where he suffered a serious staph infection called MRSA, and went into severe heart failure.
By God’s grace, he grew stronger every day.
He’s nine now and despite having a lot of delays and challenges, he is truly the happiest kid I know. I am so grateful for Pilot and their support and for AHA and their constant research! My son will always be my favorite superhero, and I will always be his biggest fan ❤️”
Read more about Bennett’s story here.
We look forward to sharing even more team-member stories and heart-health advice from the experts at American Heart Association this month.
