September is supposed to be a time when everyday Americans show thanks to the men and women who deliver more than 70 percent of the country’s goods and materials. But truckers continued their good works by raising awareness and money in support of the Special Olympics.
The World’s Largest Truck Convoy reportedly made its way through Hasting and Grand Island, Nebraska, on Saturday, Sept. 17, which coincides with the final official day of Truck Driver Appreciation Week. All told, 44 truck drivers rolled out of Adams County Fairgrounds in Hastings, hauling enthusiastic Special Olympics athletes for the convoy to Bosselman Travel Center. The athletes were particularly excited to join the real-life convoy after the event was set aside during the pandemic.
“About the whole convoy experience — I like getting in the trucks and driving them just to see what they do and how they do it,” Special Olympics competitor Cindy Hemberger reportedly said.
Law enforcement from the Hastings Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, and Nebraska State Patrol officers helped manage traffic during the event.
In Wisconsin, CDL professionals also took time to give back to the community as the clock ticked down on Truck Driver Appreciation Week. In Fond du Lac, truckers set aside their hours of service to participate in the 18th Annual Wisconsin Special Olympics truck convoy. Heavy-duty commercial vehicles rolled from Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac to EAA in Oshkosh, raising more than $100,000 for the state’s Special Olympics affiliate. Since the convoy’s humble beginnings, truckers have been instrumental in raising more than $1.5 million.
“My grandpa was a truck driver in the trucking industry for about 40 years. Riding with Carmen (Anderson) brought great memories I used to ride with my grandpa and do loads,” Travis Stuckart, a coach and an athlete with Special Olympics Wisconsin, reportedly said. “If it wasn’t for all their support, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”
Anderson, a grand marshal and driver for America’s Service Line, has participated in the Wisconsin Special Olympics Convoy for a dozen years. She had the honor of leading the convoy with Stuckart, a co-grand marshal. More than 150 trucks reportedly participated in the annual convoy and Kriete Truck Centers was named the Presenting Partner.
“All of us at Kriete Truck Centers take great pride in being the presenting sponsor of the 18th Annual Truck Convoy aimed at increasing support for Special Olympics here in Wisconsin,” David Kriete reportedly said. “The spirit with which Special Olympics athletes compete is inspiring, and nothing makes us happier than to see the genuine joy and camaraderie that they and their families experience in being part of what is truly a very special organization.”
Upwards of 150 trucks recently rolled in the 19th Annual Convoy in Sioux Falls for South Dakota Special Olympics. The annual fun run has raised more than $500,000 since it began in 2003. And on the Eastern Seaboard, 192 trucks participated in the Annual Truck Convoy for Special Olympics South Carolina. Truck drivers gave at least $100 to register, with the lead truck driver donating $10,000 to South Carolina Special Olympics.
Leave it to hard-working truck drivers to flip the script and put the spotlight on Special Olympics instead of themselves.
Sources: ksnblocal4.com, wearegreenbay.com, wistv.com, 973kkrc.com
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