St. Paul Park refinery auction raises $25,000 for local veterans

Community News

St. Paul Park, Minnesota, foundation
A fire ring, featuring signatures from team members who contributed to the welding project, installed at St. Paul Park Veteran’s Memorial Park. This special project supports the ceremonial retirement of American flags.

Key Points

  • Paul Park refinery’s July auction, sponsored by the HONOR employee network chapter, raised $25,000 for local veterans' organizations.
  • Auction highlights included a 1964 F-350 Fire Truck, various Ford and Dodge trucks, a 2017 boat trailer and multiple utility trailers and toolboxes.
  • The funds were donated to four area veterans' organizations, and the refinery’s welding team also built and installed a ceremonial fire ring at St. Paul Park Veteran’s Memorial Park.

Earlier this year, Marathon Petroleum’s St. Paul Park, Minnesota, refinery hosted a spirited auction sponsored by HONOR, the refinery’s Veterans employee network chapter, raising $25,000 for local organizations that support U.S. military veterans.

The auction featured a 1964 F-350 Fire Truck, several Ford and Dodge trucks, a 2017 Boat Trailer, and various other tools and equipment, all donated by the refinery. This wide selection attracted strong participation from employees and the local community.

The funds will be allocated to four key organizations:

  • City of St. Paul Park Veteran’s Memorial Park
  • Richard Dingle American Legion Post 98
  • Hastings Veterans Home
  • VFW Post 8751

“We’re thrilled with the outcome and grateful to everyone who participated,” said Scott Dose, Maintenance Supervisor at the St. Paul Park refinery, who played a crucial role in organizing the auction. “This donation will greatly benefit these organizations and the veterans they support.”

(L to R) St. Paul Park refinery employees Trent Rgnonti, Holly Jackson, Mike Lange, Dave Mackenzie, Keith Franke, Jim O’Keefe, Gerald Wright, Austin Bunes, Lucas Mallon, Mason Bahl, Austin Doll, Mohammed Salman, Eric Wright, Derek Robinson and Craig Kittelson, with the Mayor of St. Paul Park (in the blue shirt, center), following the installation of the fire ring at St. Paul Park Veteran’s Memorial Park. 

Additionally, the HONOR employee network chapter, led by employees Gerald Wright and Eric Wright, completed a special project at St. Paul Park Veteran’s Memorial Park by installing a fire ring for the ceremonial retirement of American flags. When challenges arose regarding how to fund the completion of the project, the refinery stepped in to help.

“It makes you proud to work for a company that supports its community and its veterans,” said Gerald Wright, a Loader at the refinery and former Commander at the St. Paul Park American Legion. “We’re incredibly thankful for their support.”

 

Crews lower the fire ring into the pit at St. Paul Park Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Nick Rainey, Senior Commercial Sourcing Advisor at the St. Paul Park refinery, stands beside one of the auction’s featured items, the 1964 F-350 Fire Truck, which he purchased as part of the auction fundraiser. 

The refinery’s donation covered the materials, and the welding team crafted and engraved the fire ring, adding each welder’s number as a mark of their contribution.

“It’s wonderful to see local businesses like Marathon Petroleum giving back,” said Mayor Keith Franke of St. Paul Park. “Their support truly makes a difference.”

Refinery General Manager Holly Jackson was with the mayor and her team when they successfully lowered the fire ring into place, marking the completion of a project that was a true labor of love for everyone involved.

“We’re proud to support initiatives like these and honored to contribute in such a meaningful way, reflecting our commitment to giving back to those who have served our country,” Jackson added.