WALDORF, Md., March 30 /PRNewswire/—Since 1948, Besche Oil has been an integral part of the Southern Maryland community, supplying local gas stations with fuel and ensuring that individual homes have the heating oil they need. But what sets Besche Oil apart from other businesses is their dedication to the community beyond the business transaction.
Each year, with the full support of their employer, Besche Oil employees donate thousands of hours of their personal time to support charity, community, and educational activities across Southern Maryland. Besche Oil also donates money to local, regional, and national programs that help improve the lives of others. Already this year, Besche Oil, and their business partner CITGO Petroleum, have made a donation of $105,000 to the College of Southern Maryland. The donation will go towards the Trade Training Center.
"When my father started this company back in the late 1940s, communities were much smaller, and it was easier to get to know your neighbor," said Michael A. Besche, President of Besche Oil. "Maybe we are old-fashioned, but we still feel strongly that you must give back to your friends and neighbors in order to be successful."
"Each year our employees contribute more than 4,400 hours—an average of more than 12 hours every day of the year—on programs that are near and dear to their hearts. We also donate approximately $20,000 each year to a variety of local programs and charities," Besche said.
In addition to the College of Southern Maryland, for which Michael Besche serves as the Chairman for the Capital Campaign, Besche Oil also supports the American Red Cross, several local Boy Scout troops, the United Way of Charles County and a variety of other charity and community programs. Several Besche Oil employees, from senior management to sales and support teams, are also actively involved in volunteer fire and emergency response organizations across Southern Maryland. Other employees support groups such as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to raise money for breast cancer research and Habitat for Humanity.
"Besche Oil is an inspiration as to how so many employees at every level in the company are committed to volunteer work. It is truly an integral part of the corporate culture," said Amy Wright, a regional marketing program manager for CITGO Petroleum. "Through the charity activities of all the locally-owned CITGO stations, as well as our corporate involvement with MDA, CITGO sees many examples of small businesses doing good in their communities. However, from the personal example set by Michael down to the accounting team, sales people, and IT manager, the employees at Besche Oil set the bar high. They are truly an example to us all."
Source: Besche Oil