At its core, Thanksgiving represents the harvest and blessings of the past year. For many, especially those who have lost loved ones and jobs due to COVID-19, the blessings this year will be different. And while many families won’t be celebrating Thanksgiving together, the trucking industry has banded together to make sure that families don’t go without this year. Here are five good – Thanksgiving – things that happened in trucking this week.
Trucker collects food for 500 families this Thanksgiving
Texas Truck driver Darryn Carabeño has been preparing Thanksgiving meals for families in need for more than 20 years, according to Valley Central News.
“I see the need in the community. I see the people. I hear the stories and we gotta help,” said Carabeño.
With the help of community donations, Carabeño has reached a total of 500 turkeys this year.
“They want to be a part of this and that is how it works,” Carabeño said. “We are all a piece in the chain and we just keep it moving. Not one of us is more important than the other. Even without me, this still works. That is the beauty of it.”
Carabeño hopes his actions will inspire others to continue the chain of giving.
“These are our people. We see them on the daily basis,” Carabeño added. “We know them and what better way to give back to your community than getting directly involved and giving them a meal that they can share in the privacy of their own home.”
Watch the full video of Carabeño's donation below.
Schneider launches Thanksgiving Week social media campaign
Schneider National (Schneider) has launched a social media campaign dedicated to giving thanks for the entire week of Thanksgiving through sharing letters and art from young artists.
On Nov. 23, the company started the week off by sharing drawings and letters from brothers Calvin and Chase Mahoney.
On Nov. 24, Schneider shared a video of fourth graders who are schooling from home with their artwork, thanking truck drivers this Thanksgiving.
Watch the video below and follow Schneider for more #GiveThanks this Thanksgiving week.
XPO Logistics employees hold Thanksgiving food drive
On Nov. 24, employees across various XPO Logistics sites held a food drive to collect food for families this Thanksgiving.
“Thanksgiving is right around the corner,” said Life at XPO in a tweet. “Our teams across the country are ramping up their generosity – making sure no one in their communities goes without a meal.”
Oregon trucking companies give away $10,000 worth of turkeys
Two trucking companies – The Truck Depot and Long-Haul Trucking, both owned by Aurel Davidyan – teamed up Nov. 21 to give back to the Portland, Ore. community during the pandemic. Together, they gave away 300 turkeys to families in need, totaling to around $10,000.
The event, held on Hayden Island, allowed families to drive up and get a free frozen turkey for Thanksgiving.
Davidyan told Koin 6 News that he was happy to give back to the community.
“A lot of families are struggling, and they lost their jobs,” Davidyan said. “I just wanted to help them out with a simple turkey so they can have a family Thanksgiving.”
Watch the video below for more on the $10,000 turkey giveaway.
Ryder to pay $30 million in bonuses ahead of the holidays
Ryder System Inc. (Ryder) will provide $30 million in bonuses to nearly 30,000 of its North American front-line employees in appreciation for their extraordinary efforts during the pandemic.
“As an expression of gratitude to Ryder’s drivers, technicians, service employees, rental counter agents, dispatchers, and warehouse employees who have been the backbone of Ryder’s response to the pandemic, we will be granting a special recognition bonus,” said Ryder Chairman and CEO Robert Sanchez. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, these dedicated employees have made extraordinary efforts to keep our company strong, our communities healthy, and our economy moving, and I am incredibly proud of how they faced this pandemic head-on to support our customers.”
Eligible full-time Ryder employees in the United States will receive $1,000, while part-time employees will receive $500, to be paid out ahead of the holidays on Dec. 14.
“In a year like no other, I’m proud of Ryder’s employees for what they have accomplished and I’m grateful for the care they’ve provided our customers and communities,” adds Sanchez. “Ryder’s success this year is a direct result of our employees turning our purpose into action and meeting our customers’ changing needs day after day.”
