Hundreds of Iowans get free gas in annual birthday giveaway

QUOTE, JOINT VENTURE. WELL, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE GOT FREE GAS TODAY. IT WAS THE ANNUAL FUELING HOPE GIVEAWAY AND NEW TONIGHT. KCCI’S NICOLE TAM SHARES HOW THE TRADITION STARTED OFF AS A WAY TO CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY. THE LOCATION OF THE GIVEAWAY WAS ANNOUNCED AT NOON AND IT’S THIS QUICK START HERE ON NORTHEAST 14TH STREET. WITHIN MINUTES YOU CAN SEE DOZENS OF CARS ALREADY SHOWED UP FOR THIS ANNUAL GIVEAWAY. SOMEBODY’S LIFE WILL BE CHANGED. REVEREND ROB JOHNSON HAS BEEN FUELING HOPE SINCE 2022 TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY. WE’VE GONE FROM $5,000 THE FIRST YEAR TO NOW $30,000 IN THE FOURTH YEAR. DONATIONS GREW OVER THE YEARS. SO DID THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS. THERE ARE NEW FACES, BUT ALSO FAMILIAR ONES SUCH AS ROSIE FEAR. WELL, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT THING TO DO. A COMMUNITY IS ONLY AS STRONG AS THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO GIVE TO ONE ANOTHER AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER. YOU’LL FIND FEAR AT PUMP 15, SMILING AND READY TO HELP. ACROSS THE GAS STATION, YOU’LL SPOT PLENTY OF PEOPLE WEARING BEANIES AND GLOVES WHO WANT TO GIVE BACK. EVEN IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES. GIVING IS A CONCEPT THAT JOHNSON GREW UP WITH. IT’S A THING THAT WAS JUST INSTILLED IN ME FROM MY MOM. MY MOM WAS A GIVER. MY FAMILY ARE GIVERS. WHAT BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY THAN SHARING JOY WITH PEOPLE AROUND YOU? AND JOHNSON SAYS HIS FUELING HOPE INITIATIVE WILL BE EXPANDING OUTSIDE OF IOWA. HE’S HOPING TO BRING IT TO THE CITY OF SAINT LOUIS STARTING IN MAY IN DES MOINES. NICO

Hundreds of Iowans get free gas in annual birthday giveaway

The Rev. Rob Johnson started this tradition in 2022 as a way to celebrate his birthday.

Updated: 4:44 PM CST Jan 19, 2025

Hundreds of people got free gas on Sunday in the annual Fueling Hope giveaway. The tradition started in 2022 as a way to celebrate the Rev. Rob Johnson’s birthday. The location was announced at noon at the Kwik Star on Northeast 14th Street in Des Moines. Within minutes, cars started to line up. “We’ve gone from $5,000 the first year to now $30,000 in the fourth year,” Johnson said. Donations grew over the years, and so did the number of volunteers. There are new faces but also familiar ones, such as Rosie Thierer. “This is an important thing to do. A community is only as strong as the people that are willing to give to one another and support one another,” Thierer said. Across the gas station, plenty of volunteers are wearing beanies and gloves. They are people who want to give back, even in freezing temperatures. “It’s a thing that was instilled in me from my mom. My mom was a giver. My family are givers,” Johnson said. Fueling Hope is expanding out of Iowa. Johnson hopes to bring the concept to St. Louis in May.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Hundreds of people got free gas on Sunday in the annual Fueling Hope giveaway.

The tradition started in 2022 as a way to celebrate the Rev. Rob Johnson’s birthday.

The location was announced at noon at the Kwik Star on Northeast 14th Street in Des Moines. Within minutes, cars started to line up.

“We’ve gone from $5,000 the first year to now $30,000 in the fourth year,” Johnson said.

Donations grew over the years, and so did the number of volunteers. There are new faces but also familiar ones, such as Rosie Thierer.

“This is an important thing to do. A community is only as strong as the people that are willing to give to one another and support one another,” Thierer said.

Across the gas station, plenty of volunteers are wearing beanies and gloves. They are people who want to give back, even in freezing temperatures.

“It’s a thing that was instilled in me from my mom. My mom was a giver. My family are givers,” Johnson said.

Fueling Hope is expanding out of Iowa. Johnson hopes to bring the concept to St. Louis in May.

Every year, a local gas station in Iowa holds a special event where they give away free gas to hundreds of lucky Iowans on their birthday. This annual birthday giveaway has become a beloved tradition in the community, bringing joy and excitement to those who are fortunate enough to participate.

The event typically takes place over the course of a weekend, with customers lining up early in the morning to take advantage of the free fuel. Each person who shows up on their birthday is eligible to receive a certain amount of gas for free, allowing them to fill up their tanks without having to spend a dime.

The gas station staff work tirelessly to keep the event running smoothly, ensuring that everyone receives their fair share of free gas. They hand out balloons, play music, and create a festive atmosphere to make the experience even more enjoyable for everyone involved.

For many Iowans, this annual birthday giveaway is a highlight of their special day, and a tradition that they look forward to year after year. It’s a small gesture that goes a long way in brightening people’s days and spreading happiness throughout the community.

So if you’re an Iowan with a birthday coming up, be sure to mark your calendar and take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to get free gas and celebrate your special day in style!

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