Victory Junction Gets Boost from Kangaroo Express, Coca-Cola

CARY, N.C. -- The Pantry Inc., and its more than 700 Kangaroo Express stores, are teaming with Coca-Cola to send children to Victory Junction, a camp for children ages six through 16 with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. The five-week fundraising campaign kicks off today at Kangaroo Express locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

For the fundraising effort customers can donate $1. In exchange, Kangaroo Express will give them an official Victory Junction thank you card and a 50-cent discount coupon on 20- or 24-ounce Coca-Cola products.

Kyle and Pattie Petty founded Victory Junction in 2004 in memory of their late son Adam. The camp relies solely on donations from individuals and corporations. According to Victory Junction, it costs $2,500 to send one child to camp for a week at no cost their families.

"Kangaroo Express is proud to participate in programs and events that make such a huge difference in the communities we serve, such as sending children to Victory Junction," said Brad Williams, vice president of operations for Kangaroo Express . "Last year the campaign raised $200,000 and we are excited as we expect that donation to grow this year with an expanded region of stores participating in the campaign."

At the end of the campaign, Kangaroo Express will present a check to Victory Junction at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26.

"Coca-Cola is proud to team up with Kangaroo Express to help Victory Junction achieve its mission of providing a life-changing experience for children with chronic medical conditions," said Dan Holmes, vice president of marketing, Coca-Cola Bottling Consolidated. "Over the past few years, Victory Junction has found an incredibly special place in our hearts."

Kangaroo Express' fundraising efforts date back to 2009 when its Charleston, S.C. store began raising funds. The campaign expanded to all of South Carolina and North Carolina in 2010; this year Virginia locations join the efforts.