The Baltimore Area Jiffy Lube^® Coop's sponsorship of the ADVO America's Looking for Its Missing Children Program^® was highlighted by a recent recovery. Six-year-old Daniel Taubar was safely found in Buffalo last July, thanks to an ADVO lead generated in Baltimore from a nationwide mailing of missing children cards.

The Jiffy Lube franchise group supports the program that produces cards that feature photos of missing children and, when appropriate, alleged abductors. Board member Frank Fulco recently accepted an award on behalf of the franchise company from the organization in thanks for the support.

Daniel was allegedly abducted by his non-custodial mother in Binghamton, New York in August of 2002. During the first week of last July, ADVO, at the request of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), began a nationwide mailing of over 60 million ShopWise™ missing child cards and newspaper alliance wrap advertisements. The pastor of a church in Baltimore received one of the ADVO cards at her home. She called NCMEC and the Baltimore Police Department to say that Daniel and his mother were members of her church, and provided their local address. Although they had already left the area, they were eventually located by investigators in Buffalo.

Daniel is the 128th child to be safely recovered as a direct result of ADVO's America's Looking For Its Missing Children program. The Baltimore Area Jiffy Lube Coop has been supporting the organization for more than 10 years.

Drivers in the Baltimore area rely on certified Jiffy Lube technicians to explain their vehicle maintenance needs to them to keep their vehicles operating properly. Some of these same employees are on the listening end when the public calls in pledges for the annual Johns Hopkins Children's Center Telethon.

Volunteering their time at this event is just one of many ways that employees of the 40 Jiffy Lube service centers in the area support the highly respected facility that helps treat and care for children.

Jiffy Lube has worked with the Johns Hopkins Children's Center for more than 15 years. During the last seven years, the association has raised more than $300,000 for the facility. Along with a $10,000 annual donation from Jiffy Lube, some of the funds are raised through the sale of Miracle Balloons at the service centers.

From March 1 through the end of May, customers who donate $1 or more to the organization will have their name put on a piece of paper shaped like a balloon and a basket and put on the wall of the service center. Pete Blauvelt, president of the Baltimore franchise group, will present a check to the organization during the telethon in June. He has had personal experience with the Center as his daughter was once treated there.