The American Trucking Assns.’ (ATA) driver recruitment initiatives recently benefited from a $10,000 donation from Navistar International Corp.
ATA’s recruitment program promotes careers in the trucking industry for returning military personnel.
The donation came from Navistar’s “Drive for Jobs” program, launched last year in conjunction with the first customer delivery of an International LoneStar Harley-Davidson Special Edition tractor and in celebration of Truck Driver Appreciation Week.
Through the program, owner-operator Chris Hawker, who purchased the first Harley truck, drove his new truck from the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee to his regular work route from Westfield, NY, to Jacksonville, FL.
For each mile Hawker drove during the month of November, Navistar made a donation to the ATA’s recruitment campaign. People who spotted Hawker’s special edition truck were encouraged to support the cause by visiting www.internationaltrucks.com.
“We’re proud to support the ATA’s driver recruitment effort,” said Jim Hebe, senior vp, North American sales operations, Navistar. “Through this initiative the ATA is taking a proactive step to address the challenges that will face the trucking industry in the years to come.”
“We appreciate Navistar’s support for ATA’s initiative to promote truck driving as a career option,” said Bill Graves, ATA president and CEO. “The men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces are ideal candidates to become trucking industry professionals — they have all the motivation and tools necessary to move successfully from the military into our industry.”
In 2008, Navistar supported another ATA initiative with a $15,000 donation generated from proceeds of DVD sales of Driver and Deliver, the documentary Navistar developed to celebrate the lives of truck drivers the contributions they make to society.