GILBERTS, Ill. – Gasoline stations and convenience stores often connect with their communities through fundraisers and other charity events as a way to give back to their customers. At Gilbert’s Mobil Mart in Gilberts, Ill., manager Laura Britto has taken that to a whole other level. Under her watch, the station has helped raise and donate funds to sports teams, Special Olympics Illinois and local families in need, as well as partnering with the area police department, Community Days festival and the Gilberts Elementary School 5K race.

“Pretty much everybody knows that if they need a donation, whether it's money or if they want products (food and drinks), everyone knows to come to me,” she said.

That attention to the needs of her community hasn’t gone unnoticed. This year, the village board named Britto as the recipient for the annual community service award from the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce. “Laura gets involved basically in anything that has to do with anything,” said Dan Corbett, village trustee. “We have the 'Cops vs. Kids' basketball game, and Laura would offer to provide all the snacks and water and Gatorade for the kids—just because she's Laura.”

For her part, Britto credits the station’s owners, Jim Hill, Don DeBolt and Ed Newby, with getting behind her in giving donations, which in 2015 was around $10,000. “When I started, I was very hesitant because I was new working here. My first year I thought, 'They're going to kill me if I give $100 here and there.' Then I went to them and they said, 'You just do what you feel is right,'” she said. “If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have the ability to do it.”