Stuff the Bus event sees Texas-sized success in Galveston Bay

Community News

Galveston Bay, Texas, foundation, Texas City
A person in a red van hands a bag to another person.
Employee volunteers Sam Arnold and Andrea Bennett load up a van with school supplies to get ready for the new school year at Texas City Independent School District (TCISD).
  • Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery’s Accounting department raised over $18,000 in this year’s Stuff the Bus school supply drive, benefiting students in the Texas City School District.
  • This year’s drive was one of the largest employee-led fundraisers at the refinery over the last ten years.
  • Over the past two years, Galveston Bay refinery employees and contractors have contributed approximately $30,000 to this cause. 

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery’s Accounting department recently completed its annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive. This initiative collects monetary donations and school supplies to support students in the TCISD. This year’s drive raised more than $18,000 in supplies and financial support. Over the past two years, refinery employees and contractors have collectively raised nearly $30,000 for this cause.

Four people holding boxes in front of a red van.
(L to R) Employee volunteers Nick Tuohy, Andrea Bennett, Sam Arnold, and Greg Buczynsky prepare to load a van with school supplies for distribution to TCISD students before the new school year.

“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery,” said Geny White, Executive Director of the Foundation for the Future & Community Relations at TCISD Foundation for the Future. “Their generosity through the Stuff the Bus initiative not only provides essential supplies for our students but also demonstrates a profound commitment to the educational success of our community. The impact of their contributions is felt throughout our schools, and we are honored to partner with such a dedicated organization.”

“Their generosity through the Stuff the Bus initiative ... demonstrates a profound commitment to the educational success of our community.”

This year’s drive was one of the largest employee-led fundraisers at the refinery over the last ten years.

“The dedication of our team to making this event a success each year is truly inspiring,” said Kip Murray, Marathon Petroleum Division Controller. “It’s amazing to see the generosity of our employees and contractors and the positive impact it has on our community.”

(L to R) Jaclyn Beach, Sam Arnold and Andrea Bennett led this year's Stuff the Bus campaign from the Galveston Bay refinery, helping to gather supplies for students at TCISD.

Andrea Bennett, Advanced Analytical Processor, one of the employees involved in organizing this year’s drive, added, “The support we receive from everyone at the refinery shows how committed we are to helping local students. This effort reflects our core values and dedication to giving to the community.”

The refinery consistently supports TCISD through various grants and volunteer efforts annually. Earlier in 2024, refinery representatives joined school leaders for the grand opening of the TCISD Marathon Robotics/STEM Center, which opened less than a year after breaking ground, thanks to a multi-year investment from the company.

Two people with bags of school supplies in a supply room.
Employee volunteers from the Galveston Bay refinery Greg Buczynsky (left) and Nick Tuohy (right) organize school supplies collected through the refinery's annual Stuff the Bus campaign to support students from TCISD.