Trucking Moves America Forward Applauds Trucking’s Charitable Work this Holiday Season

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2017 — Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF), the industry-wide education and image movement, proudly recognizes the trucking industry’s charitable work to give time and support to local communities. TMAF compiled a list of organizations and companies who submitted their good works after a call for submissions through email and social media.

“During this holiday season, it’s the ideal time to show gratitude to those in the trucking industry who are giving back to their communities while continuing to move America forward,” said Kevin Burch, co-chairman of TMAF and president of Jet Express, Inc. “TMAF is proud to highlight the many organizations and companies who donate their time and support to those less fortunate and those in need. From natural disaster relief efforts, to feeding the hungry, we are pleased to highlight the charitable contributions.”

Below is a list of trucking companies and industry organizations of all sizes that are making a difference in American communities from coast to coast:

• American Trucking Associations once again participated in the Wreaths Across America convoy from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery, delivering more than 3,500 wreaths. ATA also began raising money and awareness for the newly established Trucking Cares Foundation.
• American Truck Dealers (ATD) members assisted with relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey by providing more than 50,000 hot, fresh meals throughout the week for evacuees, first responders and volunteers. They provided drivers and trucks to transport food from Orlando, Fla., to Houston, delivered more than 20,000 pounds of smoking wood and diesel fuel for the refrigerated trucks and brought technicians for onsite repairs.
• Celadon Trucking and Celadon Logistics, out of Indianapolis, Indiana, participated in an annual toy drive hosted by the local television station, WRTV Channel 6. Celadon provided drivers and trucks to coordinate the necessary logistics and transportation to ensure the donated toys were collected and delivered to the campaign center to distribute to children in need throughout Central Indiana. CFI, out of Joplin, Missouri, is transporting remembrance wreaths for Wreaths Across America. CFI is also delivering coffee donations to military airfields. Earlier this year, CFI hosted their annual Truckloads of Treasures fundraiser, raising over $43,000 for various charity groups.
• Dart Transit Company, out of Eagan, Minnesota, is transporting Christmas wreaths through Wreaths Across America for the 8th year in a row. They are also delivering toys through the Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots program and collecting food donations for a local food shelf.
• Defiance, Ohio-based Keller Logistics Group is working with Soles4Souls, a global not-for-profit institution dedicated to fighting poverty through the distribution of shoes and clothing. They are also delivering memorial wreaths to cemeteries throughout Ohio.
• Members of DriverFacts, out of Anaheim, California, give back in many ways, including through partnering with local groups to provide toys and food to families in need, raising money for community programs, and volunteering to help after unfortunate events occur, such as Hurricane Harvey. DriverFacts owners and employees also participate in the Wreaths Across America laying ceremony at their local cemetery.
• Garner Trucking, out of Findlay, Ohio, is participating in several community events, including a holiday charity walk and a coat drive. Members are also honoring fallen veterans by sponsoring a local wreath laying in conjunction with the national Wreaths Across America event, which Garner Trucking is also participating in at Arlington National Cemetery.
• Members of Helmbolt Express, out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, volunteer at the South Dakota Special Olympics and provide support for charity groups and the homeless.
• Huff Contractors, Inc., out of West Harrison, Indiana, participated in the “Team Up for Texas” mission in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, delivering food, water and other supplies.
• Every year since 2011, employees of K. Porter Construction, Inc. based in Norfolk Nebraska, donate toys to Toys For Tots. They also gave and collected donations for a local food shelter.
• The Minnesota Trucking Association, out of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, started the Trucks & Toys program more than 20 years ago to brighten the holidays for children in need throughout Minnesota. All money donated throughout the year is used to purchase toys for children. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the children. This year, members raised over $31,000 and donated a total of 3,113 toys to charities throughout the state of Minnesota.
• Since Hurricane Harvey, the National Automobile Dealers Association Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund,raised $2.5 million for relief efforts to provide financial assistance to dealership employees and their families impacted by the hurricanes, floods and wildfires this year.
• OOIDA, out of Grain Valley, Missouri, sponsors an annual campaign to raise funds to provide comfort packages to armed forces stationed overseas and for those who need assistance at veterans’ facilities in the United States. Since 2007, over $560,000 has been raised to send packages to over 50,000 troops.
• Pilot Flying J gives back to the local communities in which they operate, trucking affiliated non-profits, veteran organizations and various humanitarian organizations during the holidays. One example is through partnering with Food Donation Connection (FDC) to combat hunger in areas where Pilot Flying J is present by donating food items to local non-profits and food bank agencies. They aim to surpass their 2017 goal with more than 200,000 pounds of food donated in 2018.
• West Lebanon, New Hampshire-based Roadvision Systems partners with two groups, Girls On The Run and 1% For The Planet. They also support charities, including Operation Roger Truckers Pet Transport, which provides transportation for animals in need.
• Schneider National, based out of Green Bay, Wisconsin, participates yearly in Wreaths Across America through their special Ride of Pride fleet.
• Stewart Transport, based out of Phoenix, Arizona, sent volunteers with Champions for Christ Ministries to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in Houston, bringing a truckload of necessities.

In addition to these efforts and partnerships, trucking continues to contribute to every community in America, delivering the food, holiday gifts, and daily necessities that help to make this season brighter for all families. Earlier this month, professional truck driver Larry Spiekermeier, an owner-operator of Montana-based Whitewood Transport, delivered the Christmas tree to the U.S. Capitol this year and highlighted the importance of trucking’s role during the holiday season in a Fox News op-ed, as well as on Fox and Friends and Fox Business.

The TMAF holiday ornament featuring the Safety Sammy mascot was released earlier this year. To show one’s industry pride and to purchase an ornament for just $10, email TMAF@trucking.org. Visit http://www.shoptmaf.com/ to order TMAF-branded gear before the holidays.

To learn more and join the movement, visit http://www.truckingmovesamerica.com/.

About Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF)

Trucking Moves America Forward aims to establish a long-term industry-wide movement to create a positive image for the industry, to ensure that policymakers and the public understand the importance of the trucking industry to the nation’s economy, and to build the political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry in the future. To learn more, visit http://www.truckingmovesamerica.com/. Also join and follow TMAF through social media, on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Trucking Moves America Forward