In the Community

Teamwork Tuesday

Teamwork means more than just working together at Lewis & Raulerson, Friendly Express and PSG…its means coming together and making a difference for a greater cause.  Not only is this team a powerhouse of professionalism, they are dedicated and driven individuals representing the 18th Annual Lewis & Raulerson – Friendly Express Charitable Foundation.

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much” – Helen Keller 

The Foundation has raised over $1,000,000 since its humble beginnings in 2000.   The Foundation continues to grow leaps and bounds due to the generosity and dedication of all participants, volunteers and sponsors.  A sincere “THANK YOU” to everyone that made this day possible.  An official press release will be made in the coming week.

Pictured from left to right:  Maybre Zachry (L&R), Wendy Merritt (PSG), Casey Hall (L&R), Sarah Music (L&R), Tara Dixon (FE)

18th Annual Lewis & Raulerson – Friendly Express Charity Golf Tournament – Another Successful Year!

The Lewis & Raulerson – Friendly Express Charitable Foundation held its 18th Annual Golf Outing Thursday, November 1st, 2018 at the lovely Jekyll Island Golf Club.

The Foundation has raised over $1,000,000 since its humble beginnings in 2000.   The Foundation continues to grow leaps and bounds due to the generosity and dedication of all participants, volunteers and sponsors.  A sincere “THANK YOU” to everyone that made this day possible.  An official press release will be made in the coming weeks.

Dreams Come True

Every year, thousands of families are given the news that their child has a life-threatening illness. Many of them live right here on the First Coast. For these families, life is instantly changed.  Lewis & Raulerson – Friendly Express are proud to partner with Dreams Come True to fulfill a child’s dream each year.  Dreams bring hope and light to families facing some of their darkest days, and can give these amazing children the strength to defy the odds.

Lewis & Raulerson – Friendly Express Charitable Foundation was able to send Aaron and his family on their dream vacation with the donations raised from our annual Charity Golf Tournament.   We wish Aaron and his family a vacation full of laughs and good memories.

ITS GETTING HOT OUTSIDE! GRAB A DRINK…HELP FIGHT HUNGER!

Its getting hot outside!  Don’t forget to purchase your ice cold fountain drinks from Friendly Express and help fight hunger.

Ace Pole Company and Lewis & Raulerson, Inc. Celebrate 55 years!!

Ace Pole Company and Lewis & Raulerson, Inc. celebrate 55 years! Mr. Steve Eunice, Ace Pole’s founder, had many talents that most people may not be aware of. He was a master carpenter working for both Ernest and Carl Lewis. He was also a woods producer cutting timber for many including Ernest Lewis, Lewis Oil’s founder. He also planted trees for many in SE GA. Although he earned no formal education, Mr. B.W. Raulerson told Bill F. Raulerson that Steve Eunice, Ernest Lewis and Carl Lewis were among the most gifted thinkers in the tri-county area.

It was in these early days (1950-1960) that both founders developed an admiration for each other, not only for their engineering minds but their ability to operate successful businesses. Their friendship developed long before they traded commodities. Mr. Steve Eunice started Ace Post company in 1964. The company later changed its name to Ace Pole Company. Steve Eunice started purchasing petroleum products from Lewis Oil Company in 1964. After Mr. Ernest Lewis’s death in 1978, Ace Pole continued to patronize Lewis Oil Company now known as Lewis & Raulerson, Inc. Lewis & Raulerson, Inc. has been fortunate to inherit that legacy.

Ace Pole is a family owned company that was built on core values. They believe in doing what they say they will do and building relationships with their customers. They promise to do everything possible to meet the customer’s needs. Ace Pole Company is the largest producer of CCA-treated utility poles in the country. Every aspect of their facility was built with their customers in mind. Because the owners oversee the yard every day, only poles that meet their exacting standards are allowed to leave the facility. Their goal is not only to meet your expectations, but to exceed them, as is Lewis & Raulerson, Inc.’s.

Lewis & Raulerson, Inc. is a wholesale distributor of light products, distillates and lubricants serving 200 open dealers and over 1,000 commercial accounts in North Alabama, North Florida and South Georgia since 1938. It markets 200 Million gallons per year thru BP, Chevron Texaco, ExxonMobil, Shell and Sunoco barrels. Lewis & Raulerson, Inc. employs over 500 people with sales north of $500 Million through its family of companies; i.e., Friendly Express, Lewis & Raulerson Carrier Group, PSG, Petroleum Products Company and Planation Petroleum (Thomasville, GA).

“I would like to thank the Eunice family and staff for your valued friendship, business and the legacy that we have nurtured for over 5 decades. Thank you for your trust and loyalty, but more importantly, I thank you for your friendship and the fond memories between you, myself and the Lewis family. I spent many days riding timberland with Mr. Eunice and I learned a great deal about business. WE would leave in the AM and get back after dark. The Eunice family has always welcomed me into their home and treated me like family. We are proud to be associated with your name and grateful to be a valued supplier” said Bill Raulerson of Lewis & Raulerson, Inc.

Lawtey Shell and Lewis & Raulerson, Inc. Celebrate 27 years!

Lawtey Shell and Lewis & Raulerson, Inc. celebrate 27 years! Carl Torode started at an early age in the family business, Torode Oil Company, Starke, FL. Carl’s father, John Torode was a Shell Oil Jobber for 38 years and Carl did numerous jobs in high school and college including driving the tank wagon truck to deliver gas to twelve of their Shell dealer sites in NE Florida.

In 1981, John provided Carl the opportunity to run the store in Lawtey, Florida. Carl did not know at the time, but this would be his profession and he is still operating the site thirty-six years later. Carl’s father retired and sold Torode Oil Company in the late 1980’s and Lawtey Shell selected Lewis & Raulerson, Inc. to be their new jobber in 1991. Twenty-six years later, Carl stated “It’s been a great partnership and friendship over the year’s”.

Carl has been in business for thirty-six years and had the pleasure to serve many generations over the years. Carl has seen many changes since first taking over operations on busy Highway 301, but he still believes providing the best customer service has been the key to his overall success. Carl is active in his community and supports schools, local sport’s teams and provides families that lost a loved one with drinks and ice. One of Carl’s first employees, a retired gentleman, always told Carl, ‘When things get rough, ‘kill them with kind words’. It is evident that Carl practices great customer service through a well-maintained facility because his sales continue to grow year over year.

Lawtey Shell was built in the 1950’s and Carl has done an amazing job of modernizing the facility while maintaining some of the historical architecture. The building exterior has been modernized but still retains some of the characteristics of prior years. Lawtey Shell is also home to a vintage Shell dispenser encased in a glass display!

Lewis & Raulerson, Inc. is a wholesale distributor of light products, distillates and lubricants serving 200 open dealers and over 1,000 commercial accounts in North Alabama, North Florida and South Georgia since 1938.

“I would like to thank Carl, the family and staff for your valued friendship, business and the legacy that we have nurtured for nearly 3 decades. Thank you for your trust and loyalty, but more importantly, I thank you for your friendship and the fond memories between you, myself and the Lewis family. We are proud to be associated with your name and grateful to be a valued supplier” said Bill Raulerson of Lewis & Raulerson, Inc.

Aden’s Minit Market and Lewis & Raulerson, Inc. celebrate 27 years!

Aden’s Minit Market and Lewis & Raulerson, Inc. celebrate 27 years! “Aden Griffis, founder and owner of Aden’s Mint Market officially started with a partner and 3 convenience stores purchased from Flash Foods in 1981. Mr. Griffis worked with Flash Foods for 10 years and decided to venture out with a partner. The partnership lasted 10 years and in 1991, Aden made the decision to go out on his own…and the rest is history”, says, Lynn Watson, Daughter of Aden Griffis.

Aden, along with his two daughters, Lynn Watson and Lori Burnam run 17 locations in SE Georgia. They are known for their “family friendly” atmosphere. Their goal is for their employees and customers to feel welcome and at home while shopping with them. They are primarily located in rural areas and try to be very active in the community they serve. Aden’s Minit Market started doing business with Lewis & Raulerson in 1991 and formed a partnership that has turned into a great friendship over the past 25+ years.

“I would like to thank Aden, the family and staff for your valued friendship, business and the legacy that we have nurtured for nearly 3 decades. Thank you for your trust and loyalty, but more importantly, I thank you for your friendship and the fond memories between you, myself and the Lewis family. We are proud to be associated with your name and grateful to be a valued supplier” said Bill Raulerson of Lewis & Raulerson, Inc.

1990 – Mr. Aden Griffis and Bill Raulerson

2017 – Lori Burnam, Bill Raulerson, Aden Griffis, and Lynn Watson

Georgia Lions Camp Car Show – 2/17/18

Lewis & Raulerson – Friendly Express is a proud supporter of the Georgia Lions Camp for The Blind.  Friendly Express, Inc. recently donated a YETI cooler for their upcoming Car Show.  The car show will be held on February 17th from 8-2 at the camp, located at 5626 Laura Walker Road in Waycross, GA.

There will be raffle drawings, vendors, food, arts and crafts.  Make plans to attend and help support a worthy cause.

Summer is Here! Help Local Charities in Need!

Lewis & Raulerson – Friendly Express Charitable Foundation, Inc. recently visited two local charities.  They included HOOVES TO FREEDOM and GEORGIA LIONS’ CAMP.  Both charities are in need this summer.  You can help by giving donations to support their efforts.

Accepting a $1,000 check for Hooves to Freedom is Hilary Cooler, owner and Nick, student.  The charity enables individual healing, growth and independence through therapeutic horsemanship.

Georgia Lion’s Camp accepted a $1,000 check to help with the summer camp for the blind.  The camp’s mission is to provide personal growth experiences for people of all ages with visual impairments using recreation, education, socialization and rehabilitation in an outdoor setting.  Pictured are student ages 6-12 years old and staff.

Lewis & Raulerson – Friendly Express are encouraging other businesses in the area to help as well by donating to organizations such as Georgia Lions’ Camp and Hooves to Freedom.  Together we can make a difference.

Georgia Lions’ Camp

Hooves To Freedom

Great Turn Out – Another Successful Tournament

Lewis & Raulerson – Friendly Express Charitable Foundation, Inc. held its 16th Annual Charity Golf Classic on November 3rd, 2016. With the help of generous vendors, the foundation broke a record for golfers in attendance and money raised.  All funds will be donated to regional charities.  The foundation recognized it’s top 5 charities at the tournament, they include: Dreams Come True, Satilla Hospice, Kingdom Care, Coastal Coalition for Children, and Georgia Baptist Children’s Home.  We appreciate everyone’s tireless and unselfish support each year.