Big Island Hele stations once again want to ‘Fuel the Future’ with 3rd annual fundraiser

Hele stores on the Big Island and throughout the state — owned and operated by fuel supplier Par Hawai‘i — are participating in the third annual Fuel the Future fundraiser, a benefit for Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation.

Proceeds from the monthlong fundraiser — from Feb. 1-28 — will help teachers go above and beyond what they do in the classroom to enhance the learning experiences of their students.

Customers and others can make contributions at any participating Hele store statewide.

Hele employees again this year selected to support nonprofit Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation — which is dedicated to strengthening public education and supporting innovation and academic excellence — to continue assisting teachers and helping keiki realize their fullest potential.

“Public school educators have incredible passion and are always looking at new ways to teach their students,” said Par Hawai‘i Vice President for Hawai’i Retail John Peyton in an announcement about the fundraiser. “They know what inspires students and how to make learning engaging.”

Hele’s Fuel the Future fundraisers raised nearly $60,000 — supporting about 60 different grants for teachers — during the past 2 years to benefit Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation.

Money raised through this year’s event will also again be earmarked for Good Idea Grants, one of the foundation’s signature programs that provides funding to teachers for implementation of good ideas they develop on their own, developing innovative programs for their students.

“Without these grants, teachers would have to pay for the equipment and materials themselves to bring their good ideas to life or may have to abandon their project idea altogether,” said Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation Executive Director Ken Hiraki in the announcement.

Visit the Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation website for additional information about the foundation. Visit the Par Hawai‘i website to learn more about the fuel company and Hele stores.