On Dec. 1, the world celebrated Giving Tuesday, a "global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world." This week, the trucking industry gave back in a big way. Here are five good things that happened in trucking this week.
Pilot Flying J launches Hauliday Giveaway
On Dec. 1, Pilot Flying J launched its annual Hauliday Giveaway for truck drivers via Facebook.
Pilot Flying J will ask a question in each day’s Hauliday Giveaway Facebook post to professional drivers. According to the company, drivers need to answer the question in the comments of the post within 24 hours to enter for the chance to win that day’s prize. Prizes include inverters, radios, GPS units, and Pilot Flying J giftcards.
“We look forward to our annual Hauliday Giveaway as a fun way to deliver some cheer to professional drivers while they are out on the roads transporting essential products during the holiday season,” said Brian Ferguson, chief merchant for Pilot Flying J. “Each year, we enjoy the many holiday memories and favorites shared by drivers entering to win the daily items, which include top gear, electronics, truck supplies and more. We truly appreciate the hard work and dedication of professional drivers and wish them and their families a safe and healthy holiday.”
The contest runs through Saturday, Dec. 12
XPO Logistics to donate $10,000 for Soles4Souls
XPO Logistics Inc. is holding a companywide shoe drive to benefit the non-profit organization Soles4Souls.
During the month of December, XPO employees will collect new or lightly used shoes to help Soles4Souls aid people living below the poverty line. The shoe drive expands on XPO’s support of Soles4Souls, following the company’s donations of supply chain services earlier this year.
"Today, on Giving Tuesday, we're launching our December shoe drive to help Soles4Souls bring comfort to children and adults in need," said LaQuenta Jacobs, XPO’s chief diversity officer. “I’m heartened by our company’s involvement, and by the fact that XPO will donate $4 for each pair of shoes collected, up to $10,000. There’s probably never been a year in our lifetimes when the world was more in need of this spirit of generosity. The opportunity to help fill that need is one that none of us can afford to miss.”
Amazon driver saves elderly man from burning home
A 23-year-old Amazon delivery driver jumped into action in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. and rescued a man from a burning home Friday afternoon.
“I heard the screaming and when you hear something like that you have to go to it,” Sean Campbell told WESH 2.
Campbell, an Amazon driver, was delivering packages down the street from the home when he heard women screaming. He dropped his packages and ran to the scene.
According to WESH 2, a fire that started in the garage was quickly growing. While one woman got out with help from a neighbor, Campbell ripped open the front door to get to a man that was still inside.
“He was in the kitchen, you know, with his walker just standing there,” said Campbell. “I don't think he really knew what was going on. I was like ‘Sir, c'mon. I need to help you. C'mon, let’s get out.’”
Campbell says though it was an urgent situation, the victim couldn't move quickly.
“He was trying to grab his walker. I was like no, we got to move,” Campbell said.
WESH 2 reported that firefighters were able to rescue the family dog.
U.S. Xpress expands Salvation Army support
U.S. Xpress has increased support for the Salvation Army’s holiday programs. In previous years, U.S. Xpress employees purchase items for hundreds of “angels,” which are a part of the organization’s annual Angel Tree program. This year, the company is also providing an additional cash donation to purchase Food City gift certificates, which will help hundreds of more Chattanooga families in need.
“The pandemic has put an additional strain on area families who were already struggling,” said Amanda Thompson, chief people officer at the Chattanooga-based company. “Our roots are firmly planted in the Chattanooga community and we’re proud to be helping nearly 500 area families this year through this cash donation and the generous contributions of our employees.”
With the growing impact of COVID-19, the organization’s iconic red kettles are at risk this year while requests for services are at an all-time high. The organization started its fundraising early, for the first time in its 130 years, with the goal to serve up to 155% more people in 2020 with Christmas assistance, including putting food on the table, paying bills, providing shelter and helping place gifts under the tree.
“We’re incredibly grateful to U.S. Xpress for its generous cash donation and the ongoing support of its employees who are helping to make the holidays a little brighter for area families in need,” said Major Mark Smith, Chattanooga area commander for the Salvation Army.
FedEx driver buys boy a new basketball hoop
FedEx driver Aubrey Robinson went viral this week after making a special delivery to 11-year-old Elijah Maines in the form of a brand-new basketball hoop and ball.
Robinson makes several deliveries to Maines’ mobile home park and frequently saw him shooting hoops in a rusty, bent basketball hoop, but “that didn’t stop him,” Robinson told The Washington Post. “It looked like basketball was his happy place. His enthusiasm for basketball was like none I’d ever seen – the sheer joy on his face made me melt.”
Robinson picked out the best Spalding hoop and basketball she could find near her home in Springboro, Ohio, spent six hours putting it together, and borrowed a friend’s truck to deliver it to the boy’s home, about 25 miles from Cincinnati on the Indiana and Ohio border.
The FedEx driver set the new hoop next to the old one then wrote a note on a FedEx slip for Maines and his family.
“What an awesome and amazing thing that she did for him out of pure kindness,” said Maines’ mom, Coledo Wheeler in a Facebook post. “There are very much still good people in the world.”
Robinson said that she had no idea Wheeler’s post was going viral on the Internet.
“I don’t want any attention for this,” Robinson said. “I was just inspired by a kid making the most of what he already had. If I can inspire somebody else to do the same thing for another kid, that’s the biggest thank-you I could have.”
Another thank-you, nonetheless, is what Robinson will get.
“She made me feel really good,” Maines said. “I’d like to see Aubrey come through again so I can give her a thank-you card. She’s awesome.”
