CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW)- Customers at The Markets will now have an easy, convenient, and unique opportunity to help the Charlottesville City-wide PTO fund.   

The “Spirit Pump” can be utilized by customers of the Tiger Fuel location on Preston Avenue in Charlottesville starting on Wednesday.  The bright red pump is designed to raise money for the City-wide PTO, with one cent per gallon of gas dispensed going to the fund.   

The city-wide initiative, run by parents of Charlottesville City Schools, has already developed a strong fundraising record with its teacher grant initiative at Summit Elementary in 2025, the year the fund was launched.   

The March 2026 “Spirit Pump” is one of many planned efforts by the PTO to continue to foster academic enrichment and development among the students of the division.  

The locally owned convenience store chain was more than happy to lend a hand in the effort.  

“A big focus of The Markets by Tiger’s mission is to support the community that supports us,” Maurice LaMarche, The Markets Vice President wrote in a release. 

The Spirit Pump was unveiled at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Preston Avenue location on Wednesday afternoon, with representatives of the PTO, Tiger Fuel and the Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce present. 

Tiger customers can fuel up with the Spirit Pump until July 31.