Robinson refinery volunteers give local elementary a back-to-school refresh

Community News

Robinson, Illinois, Foundation, Community
Seven employee volunteers stand together on a school playground after a community service event.
Employee volunteers from Marathon Petroleum’s Robinson refinery in Illinois gather after sprucing up the playground at Palestine Grade School as part of the United Way of Crawford County’s 2026 Days of Caring.

Key Points

  • About a dozen employees from Marathon Petroleum’s Robinson refinery in Illinois, along with family members, helped refresh Palestine Grade School ahead of the new school year.
  • Volunteers cleaned the playground, spread fresh mulch and completed other projects during the United Way of Crawford County’s Days of Caring, held July 13-15.
  • The project reflects the Robinson refinery’s year-round support of the local United Way through employee volunteerism and Marathon Petroleum community investment grants.

During the United Way of Crawford County’s Days of Caring, held July 13-15 in Illinois, employee volunteers from Marathon Petroleum’s Robinson refinery gathered at a local elementary school to give it a bit of a glow-up just in time for the new school year.

Volunteers spread mulch across a school playground.
Marathon Petroleum volunteers spread fresh mulch throughout the school’s large playground area.

About a dozen employees and their family members worked together at Palestine Grade School to clean up the playground, spread fresh mulch and complete other projects as part of the United Way’s annual multiday event.

“Days like this are important because they give us a chance to support our neighbors and help create a welcoming environment for local students.”

“It was such a great day, from the beautiful weather to the camaraderie, all while knowing we were working together to make a difference for the school and the broader community,” said Rob Hicks, Vice President of Refining at Marathon’s Robinson refinery. “Days like this are important because they give us a chance to support our neighbors and help create a welcoming environment for local students.”

The refinery is one of the United Way’s biggest year-round supporters, with employees volunteering their time and Marathon Petroleum providing community investment grants that help advance the organization’s mission.

Employee volunteers spread fresh mulch across a school playground.
Marathon employee volunteers work together to spread fresh mulch across Palestine Elementary School’s playground during Days of Caring.

“Marathon and its employees always go above and beyond to support our work,” said Brady Clampett, Community Outreach Manager for United Way of Crawford County. “We can’t thank them enough for their continued dedication and the impact they make through programs that benefit so many people across our community.”