SAN ANTONIO – Valero Energy Corp.’s 12th annual “Miracle Balloon” fundraising campaign has taken off at nearly 1,000 of the company’s Valero and Diamond Shamrock Corner Stores to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network.

From now until November 6, customers can make a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network by adding their name to a paper “Miracle Balloon,” which will then be displayed in the store during the campaign, according to a press release.

“I’m proud of our retail employees’ longstanding support of Children’s Miracle Network, and because of their commitment, I know we’ll have another successful campaign,” said Valero Senior Vice President of Retail and Specialty Products Marketing Gary Arthur in the release, adding, “With the hard work of our employees and the generosity of our customers, we hope to help more children in need of critical healthcare services than ever before.”

In 2005, Valero’s “Miracle Balloon” campaign raised more than $884,000 for 38 children’s hospitals located in nine of the states where Valero has retail operations. In the past 11 years, Valero’s retail employees have raised more than $5.4 million for Children’s Miracle Network.