Kangaroo Express, part of Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc., in partnership with Coca-Cola®, today announced that nearly $500,000 was raised for Victory Junction. These funds will send 200 children ages six to 16 with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses to summer camp.

During the seventh annual fundraiser, Kangaroo Express collected donations throughout March at more than 500 Kangaroo Express convenience stores in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Since Kangaroo Express stores in Charleston, South Carolina, first began raising funds in 2009, donations have totaled nearly $4 million and have enabled Kangaroo Express to send 1,500 children to summer camp.

Coca-Cola will join Kangaroo Express to present a check for $498,960.23 to Victory Junction Co-founder Kyle Petty before the NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 16.

Victory Junction was founded in 2004 by the Petty family in honor of Adam Petty. The camp relies solely on donations from individuals and corporations like Kangaroo Express to give children a life-changing camping experience. For $2,500, one child has the chance to attend camp for a week at no cost to his or her family.

“For the seventh consecutive year, we are proud to partner with Victory Junction to give deserving kids an unforgettable summer camp experience,” said Will Rice, Vice President Operations, South Atlantic. “Thanks to generous donations from our store guests, these campers will have the opportunity to learn, play and just enjoy just being kids.”

As a result of Kangaroo Express’ donations, Victory Junction has aided pediatric burn survivors and children with neurological and genetic disorders, craniofacial anomalies, sickle cell and skin disease.

Coca-Cola once again served as a proud partner of the fundraising campaign this year.

“Coca-Cola is committed to supporting the communities we serve,” said Derek Pope, director of sales, Coca-Cola Refreshment. “In partnership with Kangaroo Express, we are proud to support Victory Junction in its mission to give children an exciting, empowering and enriching camp experience.”

“We value and appreciate corporate partners like Kangaroo Express, who help us realize our mission of providing an unforgettable experience to children with chronic medical conditions and serious illnesses – all at no cost to their families,” said Mark Schumacher, chief development officer, Victory Junction.

As the exclusive convenience retailer at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the infield store is accessible to all infield campers and speedway guests during each NASCAR event day in May. Race fans can grab their favorite on-the-go refreshments, snacks, alcoholic beverages and convenience items without missing a moment of the race.

On March 17, 2015, convenience store chain Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc., which operates in the U.S. mostly under the Circle K brand, acquired The Pantry, Inc., which operates primarily under the Kangaroo Express brand.