What are neighbors for? "We believe it is critical to give back to the communities we serve," says Chief Operating Officer Carl Ray Polk, Jr. That's why an average of 1% of the company's net income goes back into the communities they serve. 95% of Polk Oil Company's donations are regional or local because as Polk puts it, "The money was generated locally, so we want to keep it local. "We believe in giving back to the communities that have made us successful."

The Polk Family has made diabetes education and support for those diagnosed with the disease their focus. According to Carl Ray Polk, Jr., diabetes runs on both sides of the Polk family. He says his grandmother was an advocate for diabetes education, "Because of her difficulties getting local information to help her husband and children manage their diabetes, she vowed to help make diabetes education and support locally available." In 1994, she endowed the Horace C. Polk, Jr. Diabetes Center at Memorial Hospital of East Texas. It offers quality care and extensive education for people who have been diagnosed with diabetes. The Polks continue to target programs that address childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes. The CLIP study (Children's Lifestyle Intervention Program) with Lufkin Middle School students will determine if a community based lifestyle education program can improve the health care status for children at increased risk of diabetes. Visit: www.mhset.net/diabetes.htm

Bryant Krenek, CEO and President of Memorial Health System of East Texas, accepts a $46,000 check from Ray Polk and his wife Barbara. The Polk Diabetes Center, under the medical direction of Dr. Lance Sloan, a Lufkin Endocrinologist (far right), will use the funds to help educate area youth on the importance of exercise and good nutrition. Memorial was chosen to participate in the statewide pilot project which implements a course in diet and nutrition in the sixth grade curriculum.

Literacy is also dear to the Polk Family. Polk, Jr. adds, "My great grandfather, Rube Sessions, loved to read. Though he only had a fifth grade education, he realized that reading could open up his world and the world for the people of Wells, Texas. In 1967, he willed lands and funds for a library in Wells. My grandparents, Hazel Sessions Polk and H.C. Polk co-chaired the completion of the Rube Sessoions Memorial Library in 1975. Outdated and out of space, my father, Ray Polk, is now leading the campaign to overhaul the library. The old Polk Oil garage, where our company began, has been demolished to make way for more parking. The refurbished library should open in the Summer of 2009."

Giving back is part of the Polk Oil Company legacy. If you would like to apply for a donation, please go to our DONATION POLICY .