“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” While the transportation industry is not small, Margaret Mead’s words hold true to the good deeds that trucking has done for its community and its people. Here are five good things that happened in trucking this week.
ATA Share the Road helps deliver goods to New Orleans food bank
ATA Share the Road, a highway safety program of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), worked with American Logistics Aid Network to move donations to Second Harvest of Greater New Orleans & Acadiana, a member of Feeding America that has been fighting hunger in 23 South Louisiana parishes for more than 30 years.
Jorge Chavez, professional driver for Jetco Delivery, began the 1,014-mile journey by heading to the Coca-Cola plant in Paw Paw, Mich., and picked up the charity load bound for Louisiana.
“All of those miles, we’ll be driving safely,” Chavez reiterated.
Chavez also had a message for all drivers on the road: “If you’re driving today, put the cell phone away.”
Trucking celebrates Earth Day
The trucking industry took to social media to celebrate Earth Day on April 22. ATA started off with a thread of facts documenting how trucking has contributed to the reduction of emissions – and an overall healthier planet.
Nikola Motor Company made an Earth Day announcement of its partnership with TravelCenters of America (TA-Petro) to install hydrogen fueling stations for heavy-duty trucks at two existing TA-Petro sites.
ChargePoint shared its achievements toward electric mobility in the industry with some interesting statistics.
Ford Motor Company reiterated its commitment to 100% local renewable electricity in manufacturing by 2035. “It’s a #sustainable plan for a sustainable planet,” Ford said in a tweet.
Bestpass helps to fight hunger in Albany, N.Y.
Bestpass sent employees to volunteer at Feed Albany and the Regional Foodbank of Northeastern New York as part of an initiative to fight hunger in the community and prepared more than 500 meals at Feed Albany, a charity that provides at-risk and in-need individuals in Albany, N.Y., and the Greater Capital Region with access to prepared and packaged meal solutions.
In addition, employees volunteered on three separate days to sort food donations at the Regional Foodbank of Northeastern New York. The Food Bank collects large donations of food from the food industry and distributes it to charitable agencies serving hungry and disadvantaged people in 23 counties throughout Northeastern New York.
“Volunteering at the Regional Food Bank is a fun, rewarding experience and a great way to give back to the community. The pandemic has impacted the lives of so many people,” said Max Sutfin, senior accountant and co-chair of the Bestpass Gives committee. “Spending a few hours an afternoon to help sort through donations so more people can get the food they need is just one small way we can help out.”
Women In Trucking reveals 2021 Driver of the Year finalists
The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has revealed the three finalists for the 2021 Driver of the Year award. The second annual award, sponsored by Walmart Transportation, recognizes outstanding female professional drivers who lead the industry in safety standards while actively enhancing the public image of the trucking industry.
Carmen Anderson, a company driver at America’s Service Line LLC, has 2.5 million safe-driving miles. She serves on the organizing committee for the South Dakota Special Olympics and is trained to recognize and prevent human trafficking through her involvement with Truckers Against Trafficking.
Ingrid Brown, an independent owner-operator of Rolling B LLC, has been a professional driver for over 40 years and has over 4 million accident-free miles. Brown participated in the FMCSA 2020 Trucking Safety Summit, a public meeting with the goal of improving safe operations of commercial motor vehicles, and continues to be an advocate for driver awareness and safety through her involvement within the industry and can be seen in numerous magazines, TV news specials, and more.
Nikki Weaver has been a company driver with FedEx Freight for 12 years and has more than 2 million accident-free miles over her 19 years as a professional driver. Weaver speaks to community colleges about the trucking industry as well as the Pennsylvania State Police Academy’s new commercial officer cadets and is an advocate for Truckers Against Trafficking.
“Given the difficulties of this past year, it is especially important to recognize these outstanding and essential professionals who keep our country moving,” said Ellen Voie, president and CEO, WIT. “These women have proven safety records and are truly making a difference in the industry and in their communities.”
Maine trucker saves 9-year-old on the highway
When the Apodaca family took two cars home, husband Cory Apodaca didn’t make it home. He was killed by a wrong-way driver while 9-year-old son Cory Apodaca Jr. was alive in the car with broken bones from the elbows down.
Truck driver Ty Mauzerolle happened to drive by the scene and heard the screams of Apodaca Jr.
“You could hear him screaming the second you got out of the truck," Mauzerolle said.
Mauzerolle helped Apodaca Jr. out of the car safely and called 911. When first responders arrived on the scene, paramedics needed to give the young boy a shot. To help him overcome his fear of shots, Mauzerolle promised he would give the boy his Nintendo Switch as a reward.
“’If you take the medications the paramedics are trying to give you, I'm going to go get it and give it to you.’ And he took the shots," Mauzerolle recalled.
Mauzerolle left his information with the first responders on the scene but for whatever reason, Apodaca Jr.’s mother couldn't find a way to get in touch with him.
Enter the Nintendo Switch. With Mauzerolle’s first name and last initial as well as his hometown of York County, Maine, logged in the device, Apodaca Jr.’s mother was able to call the York County Sheriff’s Department to locate her son’s savior.
Mauzerolle said he didn't save Corey for the attention on social media, but because that's what Mainers do.
"I did it because I think anyone with a heart would have done it and you know I'm a life-long Mainer, we help people out. It's what we do," he said.
Mauzerolle’s heroic actions will award him as a “Highway Angel” by the Truckload Carriers Association.
