FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    CONTACT:  Fred Newhouse 713-203-3220 -  Fred.Newhouse@Valero.com

VALERO TEXAS CITY REFINERY GIVES $350,000  
TO LOCAL CHILDREN’S CHARITIES

   Texas City, Texas - October 22, 2009 – Local children’s charities will receive a total of $350,000 from employees of the Valero Texas City Refinery, who raised the funds through the 2009 Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children Golf Classic in San Antonio, Texas. 

“For years, the Benefit for Children Golf Classic has been giving back to the community, and we’re proud to be able to do so this year during a time of such need,” said Michael Harrison, Vice President and General Manager of the Valero Texas City Refinery. “Another reason this year is special is that because the tournament was held in the spring, we can deliver these checks to the agencies much earlier in the year than when the tournament was held in the fall. I know these donations will make a significant impact in the lives of thousands of children across the area.”

Thanks to the generosity of Valero’s business partners and sponsors, the Valero Texas Open remains one of the most charitable tournaments on the PGA TOUR. This year nationwide, Valero will distribute $8 million to children’s charities in the areas where it does business. Agencies selected to receive Benefit for Children dollars each year are recommended by Valero employees themselves.

Contributions to organizations, ranging from $2,400 to $100,000, will help these agencies dedicated to enhancing children’s lives by providing a variety of services and programs such as scholarships for children with illnesses and disabilities to attend camp, new educational and recreational programs for at-risk youths, and resources for abused or neglected children. 

The 2009 Valero Benefit for Children local recipients are: 

·   Advocacy Center for Children of Galveston County

·   Bay Area Council, Boy Scouts of America

·   Children’s Center

·   Fatima Education Foundation

·   San Jacinto Council, Girl Scouts of America

·   Gleanings From The Harvest

·   Gulf Coast Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Inc.

·   Hearts of Sailing

·   Hospice Care Team

·   Kidz Harbor, Inc.

·   Perry Family YMCA

·   Salvation Army

·   Teen Health Center

·   Texas City Day Nursery

·   Turning Point Gulf Coast

·   Voices for Children of  Galveston County

 In addition, Valero will present a time capsule associated with the 100^th year celebration of its refinery and make a contribution to the Texas City Museum to support the development of children activities.   

 “Without the generosity of Valero’s many business partners and sponsors, Valero would not be able to provide this level of financial support for children’s charities,” said Rich Marcogliese, Valero’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and the company executive overseeing the 2009 Valero Texas Open. “This is a true partnership among Valero employees, our sponsors and the PGA TOUR. Together, we are able to achieve success both with the tournament and assisting those in need.”

 About Valero Energy Corporation
Valero Energy Corporation is a Fortune 500 company based in San Antonio with approximately 22,000 employees and 2008 revenues of $119 billion. The company owns and operates 16 refineries throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean with a combined throughput capacity of approximately three million barrels per day, making it the largest refiner in North America. Valero is also a leading ethanol producer with seven ethanol plants in the Midwest with a combined capacity of 780 million gallons per year, and is one of the nation’s largest retail operators with approximately 5,800 retail and branded wholesale outlets in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean under the Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar, and Beacon brands.  Please visit www.valero.com for more information.