NACS Scholarship Applications-- If you are in school and work at Ricker's, PLEASE READ!

Applications Now Available for NACS Scholarship Program
The scholarships assist future retail leaders with their tuition costs and award attendance to the upcoming NACS Show.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Many of the current leaders of the convenience store industry got their start at the store level. Through hard work and commitment to learning, these individuals followed the career paths of the industry to positions of senior leadership.
Since its founding in 1998, the NACS Scholarship Program has awarded 84 scholarships totaling $255,000.
The NACS Scholarship Program in Memory of Jim Yates and in Memory of David Erickson assists developing retail leaders by providing them with $3,000 for costs of undergraduate career education, as well as attendance to the NACS Show.
Only students who are a current full- or part-time employee of a NACS retail member company are eligible for the scholarship. The student must be enrolled for the fall 2011 semester at any accredited two- or four-year college, university or technical institution, and continue to be enrolled for the entire year.
The deadline to submit applications for the 2011 NACS Scholarship is Friday, June 3. Print an application packet today! Companies may nominate multiple applicants for scholarships. Award winners will be notified by the end of June. 
For additional information about applying for the NACS Scholarship Program, contact Jenn Makarsky.
If you or your company would like to donate to the NACS Scholarship Fund in Memory of Jim Yates and David Erickson, click here to download a contribution form. For additional information regarding corporate contributions, contact Derek Gaskins at (703) 518-4236.

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NACS Daily News
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Ricker's Song by Plainfield & US40/Jeremiah Maxwell: Come On In

World of Difference Entries

We had wonderful entries for the World of Difference Contest!  Although there is only 1 winner, the entries were amazing and every store that participated should be PROUD of their submission.  We know that every Ricker's Superstar does make a world of difference on a daily basis, and for that, we thank you!

Check out the entries:

Post Road:

Email gvanalstine@rickers.net for booklet to be emailed to you.

Exit 14:

We, as a team and individuals, try to do as much as we can to help our customers.  We try to go above and beyond whenever possible.  There are many stories that come to mind when thinking of how this store has made world of difference.  While debating, one name stuck in my mind.  His name is Rick.  He passed away a few months ago from Cancer.  He was a local so all of the other customers, my staff, and I knew him well.  At first, we didn’t even know Rick was ill.  His roommate came in one day and asked if we would put a can out to collect money because Rick was in the hospital.  Everyone was shocked.  He was always happy when he came in so none of us knew there was anything wrong.  Throughout Rick’s battle with cancer we kept the can out and tried to collect as much money for him as possible.  In my opinion, this act wasn’t what made a difference.  We stayed informed as to what was going on with Rick so we could share when people asked.  We also had customers come in daily to  tell us what news they received.  This was the difference and it wasn’t only created by this store; It really seemed we were all a family.  It was heartwarming to see the community come together and care about this man.  In the end, most of the money went to getting his family up here to attend his funeral. Before Rick passed, he asked that his roommate take some of the money and buy us flowers as a way to say thank you for our help.  He was a sweet man and he will be missed by our customers and us.  I guess in a way, this story isn’t about how we made a world of difference.  It is more about how Rick made a difference in our lives and the lives around us.  We were just happy to be a part of it. Thanks, Chelsea, Shaina, Laerra, Rich, Brandon, Emily, Kylie, Justin, Daniel, Eric, and Alicia

151st Street

A World of Difference At Ricker’s store 44 we make a world of difference by being the best we can be, not only giving our customers a hot or cold drink but also a warm greeting and a cool refreshing smile.    We at store 44 pride ourselves on a clean, well stocked store.  Take a look at our past inspection scores, they speak for themselves.  Our restrooms are kept so our customers can feel good about using a public facility.  We have blow dryer that not only cleans the water off but the grim as well (we know cause we clean that grim off the walls).  We love our customers and know several by their first name.  We have some of the best customers around town which was seen in the recent Salvation Army kettle drive.  We look forward to serving their needs each and every day.  If those needs include carrying ice bags to the car, pumping gas, carrying drinks because mom has her hands full with a small child, whatever the needs, we are there.  Stop by and see for yourself and feel what our customers feel.  Maybe hear a good joke and take a little smile with you.  Our store mission is to make you happy and leave wanting more.  At Ricker’s 44 we truly do care about our customers, our store and our company.

Central Avenue:

Here at Central Avenue, Store #1. We do make a World of Difference for Ricker's and our customers. Without our loyal customers, there would be no Rickers.   We make each and every individual feel like they are the most important customer. And they do not hesitate to tell us so.  We have elderly customers and individuals with physical impairments that enjoy our pleasant attitudes and helpful deeds. For instance, we pump their gas, carry out their items, and help them shop. We have all sorts of customers that may come in a tad shy of the necessary amount of money to complete their transactions, however we may even pull some change from our own pockets and so do other customers.  When we do this, our customers remember the generosity, therefore they offer to pay us back, so when they do, we put it into the penny pot to help someone else.  Paying it forward really does work.  We have had children come in that do not understand how to count money.  Sometimes we  take on the role of teacher and show them how to count, this of course is hard to do if we are too busy.  Though It can be fun and rewarding when we have extra time.  We have all worked diligently to keep the store very clean and organized.   This not only helps the customers locate items easier but it also teaches them to help keep the store neat and clean.   We are training our customers to feel safe and to take pride in their Rickers. In the winter, there is a constant flow of walking traffic each one of the employees share in the duty of maintaining the steps, gas pumps and entrance by constantly keeping them well salted and shoveled.  Some of us have even given people rides home in bad weather.  We have also made our customers feel very comfortable, approachable and caring.  Somedays, we are also counselors or a shoulder to lean on.  All of our employees and customers are a Ricker's family, and we get new members, every day.

Plainfield & US40

Here’s our submission to the World of Difference competition.  It’s an audio file, a song, and therefore too big to email.  We’ve uploaded it to a file sharing site (completely safe and no registration needed) for you guys to download.  Just click the link below and select download from the page it takes you to.  The file will only be available on that page until April 8th.  It should only take a few minutes at most to download.  Lyrics are posted below.  Enjoy.  (If you can’t get it to work for whatever reason, let us know and we’ll find another way of getting it to you.) https://www.yousendit.com/download/UFh1WmdqQzdQb0x2Wmc9PQ Lyrics: We know your brand We know just the way you like it So come on it, yeah come on in Greet you with a smile Everybody knows your name Yeah, so come on in, so come on in Come on in We’re in your neighborhood Anytime you need us Just come on in, please come on in We got all you need So much of everything you know Come on in, you should just come on in Ricker’s makes your day a little better No matter morning noon or night Ricker’s makes the world taste a little sweeter And if you need a friendly face just come inside, just come inside You know we’re here for you We’ve got more than just convenience So come on in, you gotta come on in At a price you’ll love At deals beyond believin’ Just come on in, you gotta come on in If you love Sunday morning coffee Or an ice cold Ricker’s pop If you love hanging with your friends Then come on in If you love everyday good service And better discounts all year long If you love having fun on purpose Then come on in, you gotta come on in Naaaa, naaaa, na nana nana na  Na nana   Are you gonna come on in