In an effort to reward those who “do good in local communities” Citgo Petroleum Corp., is awarding 12 $5,000 gift cards to organizations who exemplify those values – and the South Central Alabama Mental Health Board is one of those – but there’s a catch, though.

Local residents’ help is being solicited to help them win one of the few cards being given away.

SCAMHB marketing director Staci Wilson said the public’s help is needed to vote for the organization through the Fueling Good Program.

“People can vote every day through Feb. 9,” she said. “They can even enter as many email addresses as they have.”

Wilson said SCAMHB provides transportation to mentally ill patients in a four-county service territory, including Covington, Crenshaw, Coffee and Butler counties.

“We serve about $75,000 a year in fuel costs,” she said. “We go nearly 300,000 miles a year, while serving 175-200 people. The $5,000 would go along way here.”

Wilson said the organization applied for Citgo’s fall program, but did not receive enough votes to win one of the $5,000 cards; however, they were in the top 100.

“We got enough votes that they sent us a $25 gift card,” she said. “We were favorable, so we were automatically reselected to participate in this as well.”

Online public voting runs from Jan. 12 to Feb. 9 to determine the next 12 winning charities, who will each receive $5,000 in Citgo gift cards to spread their own “Ripple of Good.”

To vote, visit fuelinggood.com and search for South Central Alabama Mental Health Board to cast your vote for them.