$1 off gas eases pain at pump at Lexington gas station Monday

LEXINGTON - When Burtchville Township resident Pam Cartwright heard the Party Store Marathon gas station was offering $1 off per gallon of gas, she decided to line up early to score the deal.

"This helps out quite a bit," she said.

The gas station offered $1 off per gallon beginning at 10 a.m. Monday through People Helping People, an initiative supported through donations from local businesses.

A line stretched around three blocks shortly after 10 a.m. as people waited to get the discounted gas. The Lexington police and fire departments helped direct traffic. A few vehicles had lined up as early as 6 a.m. to be the first in line.

Tim Hering, owner of Lakeshore Graphics, created the initiative as a way to give back to the community. He raised $6,000 through donations from local businesses to discount 6,000 gallons of gas.

The discount will last as long as supplies last. The station was continuing to sell the discounted gas shortly after 11:30 a.m.

The gas station sold gas at $3.99 a gallon for regular grade. The average cost of gas was $5.03 per gallon in St. Clair County and $4.99 per gallon in Sanilac County Monday, according to AAA.

Cartwright said she arrived at about 9 a.m. The rising price of gas is a concern for her.

The price of gas has caused her to cancel outings to go antiquing or to attend her granddaughter's softball games. She is considering canceling her usual vacation in northern Michigan due to the high cost of gas.

The discount will help her stretch her budget so that she can have a fuller tank of gas at her next pay day, Cartwright said.

Croswell resident Larry Hall arrived at 7 a.m. to be one of the first people in line. He planned to put 15 gallons in his pickup truck and fill two five-gallon gas cans for his lawnmower.

Hall said he was also considering canceling his camping vacation up north due to the price of gas, as he normally pulls a camper using a diesel truck.

"It just keeps going up so you can't drive anywhere," he said.

Hering said he hopes to inspire others to give back to their community. The initiative also provides a way for the sponsors to promote their businesses, he said.

Nate Shopbell, owner of 3 North Vines and 3 North Lexington, said he donated to not only as a way to help out, but also to say thank you to local residents for supporting small businesses.

"It's really just about giving back to the community," he said.

Sponsors include: 3 North Vines, A&W Lexington, BCM Media Blasting, The Body Shop, Champagne Agency, Farm Bureau, Fast & Efficient Power Washing, GT Concrete, JD Construction, Tracy Kritzman - Town & Country Realty, Lafata Tent Rental, Lakeport Barber, Lakeshore Graphics, Lakeview Hills Golf Course, M&M Ryan, Marathon - Lexington, Marathon Corporation, Martin Concrete, Massage 325, Roche Bar, S&D Carr & Battery, Sheridan Real Estate, Smokey Jims, States Painting, Windjammer and Village Square.

Contact Laura Fitzgerald at (810) 941-7072 or [email protected].