Until tires-on-the-ground truckers were tasked with keeping America’s supply chain open during the height of the pandemic, the women and men behind the wheel toiled in thankless anonymity. But the heroic actions of truckers during times of uncertainty have buoyed public opinion. That being said, truck drivers have been quietly doing good works for a long time, and their charitable efforts during the holiday season deserve attention.
Trucking Moves America Forward, an organization tasked with promoting a positive image of CDL professionals, recently drew attention to stories about truckers’ recent good works. The following rank among a handful of laudable efforts by freight haulers all across America.
- Haulin’ 4 Hunger: Advantage Truck Group in Central Massachusetts worked diligently to provide fresh meals to families in need during the holidays. To date, the program is responsible for 23,000 meals.
- American Trucking Associations: The country’s largest trucking advocacy organization participated in an annual Wreaths Across America convoy. The trek ran from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery. The ATA also donated goods and transportation to people struggling through disasters. Its America’s Road Team and Workforce Heroes programs partnered with Interstate Moving Relocation Logistics to deliver Afghan refugees goods while temporarily housed at military bases across the country. The organization also supported bicycle-building for the Boys and Girls Club of San Antonio, Texas.
- Winter Walk: Brenny Transportation participated in a St. Joseph, Minnesota, Winter Walk by loading and delivering a 50-foot Blue Spruce tree to the Church of St. Joseph. The trucking outfit also raised more than $8,000 for local families before the holidays.
- Bikes for Kids: Based in Richmond, Virginia, Estes Express Lines transported components for more than 415 bicycles from New Jersey to River City, VA, that were then assembled and distributed. The bicycles had a resale value of $35,000, and underprivileged youth in the area received them free of charge.
- Toys For Tots: Truckers across the country consistently provide transportation and monetary donations to the Toys for Tots efforts each year. Old Dominion Freight Line, based in Thomasville, North Carolina, went the extra mile by donating $100,000. Old Dominion reportedly hosts 80 Toys for Tots events annually. The trucking outfit also donated 200,000 canned goods to the Salvation Army and participated in joint efforts with the non-profit.
- Special Olympics: The Rhode Trucking Association held its Annual Torch Run Truck Convoy for Special Olympics. Rhode Island truckers raised more than $8,000 for Rhode Island Special Olympics athletes.
- U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree: System Transport, based in Cheney, Washington, was given the honor of transporting a Christmas tree from Six Rivers National Forest in California to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capital Building in Washington, D.C. A member of the Truckload Carriers Association, System Transport, and others, took a leadership role in delivering Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s The Wall That Heals mobile unit and Wreaths Across America remembrance ornaments.
These rank among the many truck driver undertakings that bring joy during the holiday season. More than 70 percent of America’s goods and materials are delivered to each and every community by a hard-working truck driver.
Source: prnewswire.com
Barbara says
KUDOS TO ALL THE TRUCKERS!!
LOVE Y’ALL ALWAYS.
GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE.🙏