Local Convenience Store Gives Gas Cards To Parents For Sick Children

You’ve probably seen the Domino gas stations around the state, but this Oklahoma company is not just providing gas.

“We span most of the state, if you start at the east end to the west end you’ll pass a domino,” said Dustin Kreizenbeck, director of operations for Domino C-stores.

Elmer Smith opened the first store in Clinton, Oklahoma, in 1955, and the family company has always tried to find ways to help Oklahoma families.

“We really like to be part of our communities and give back to the people that give to us,” said Domino marketing manager Kathryn Knott.

“Our motto is convenience that cares, and that’s kind of how our relationship started with Oklahoma children’s,” said Kreizenbeck.

Many families with children in Oklahoma Children’s hospital are from all over the state, and with gas prices soaring out of control, it is an added stress to those families.

In the fall of the past two years, the stations have set up what they call, “The giving pump”.

“Customers could come, fill up at our designated pump, and we donated a set amount of money from that pump to Children’s hospital,” said Knott.

But they realized there was a more personal need.

“There’s nothing worse than having a kid that’s sick and you can’t do anything about it, especially being so far away,” said Knott.

“We’ve seen a need in families needing gas money. Money to get home after discharge, money driving back to a city, if they are going back to Guymon, if they are going even across town and they came in kind of on fumes,” said Sara Jacobson, executive director of volunteers at Oklahoma Children's Hospital.

Domino started providing gas cards for families needing a little extra help.

“Of course, for us, it’s an easy fit because we are gas stations,” said Knott.

The resource allows hospital staff to tune into to a family’s need during a very stressful time.

“They don’t necessarily ask for it, but we know that it’s something that we could do to support their family. So, once they are able to receive that it’s just being grateful because that is just one less thing they have to worry about,” said Kerry Stark, family resource manager at Oklahoma Children's hospital.

For the families receiving the cards they are priceless, but for Domino, it is simply what it means to be an Oklahoma company. There are currently 22 Domino stores across the state, with plans to add more every year.