The beginning of May comes with vaccine uncertainty, states re-opening, and continued loss throughout the country. None of this has stopped the American people from coming together to support the trucking industry and those drivers who keep American running. Here are five good things that happened in trucking this week.
FedEx driver becomes ice cream man for special needs child
Twelve-year-old Haige Williams and her mom, Megan went for a walk when a truck stopped at their home in Ballantyne, N.C. Haige has special needs — and one of her favorite things is the ice cream truck.
When the truck stopped in front of their home, Haige thought it was an ice cream truck. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. It was a FedEx truck. According to WBTV, Mom Megan said the driver chuckled, made his delivery and then went on his way.
But the next day, the FedEx driver, Shane, stopped again. He didn’t ring the doorbell — he just left a package by the door with a note.
“Yesterday I was just the Fed Ex delivery guy,” the note read. “Today, I am both delivery guy and ice cream truck guy. I hope this puts smiles on. Have a great weekend.”
Shane brought a package of ice pops for Haige.
“In a time when these drivers are completely overwhelmed and maxed out making sure people get their orders delivered on time, I am completely blown away by the thoughtfulness of Shane," Megan said.
Lifelong friends create GoFundMe to support truck drivers
Two lifelong friends, Chad Christy and Eric Key, from Concord are working together to help bring hot meals to truck drivers on the road.
“I got to looking at the truckers at the truck stop with nothing,” said Christy, who was a truck driver for nearly 15 years. “They had nothing to eat. They were just sitting there.”
Christy called his friend, Eric Key, who owns Brickhouse Grill in Concord, and they started a fundraiser on GoFundMe, “Feeding Our Truckers.” Their original plan was to feed 100 truckers a day for three days, but after gaining popularity, they can feed a lot more. On April 27, they met the goal of $1,500 and extended it to $5,000.
“Let’s not stop now!” said the GoFundMe page update. “The more we raise, the longer we’ll keep serving our truck drivers! Thank you for all your help and to the owner of Brickhouse Grill. Bless you all!”
Ohio McDonald’s created walk-up door just for truckers
A McDonald’s location in Jeffersonville, Ohio, is playing its part in supporting truck drivers by creating a inside room specifically for truckers so they can pick up an order.
Because trucks can’t fit through the drive-thru space, McDonald’s employees used the foyer space of the location to build a make-shift window in a door so that truckers can get their food without entering the dining area.
Illinois comes together to give out free meals and face masks to truckers
The Illinois Truckers Association partnered with IDOT and the ISP to give out free meals and face masks to truckers at the Williamsville Weigh Station on Interstate 55 to say thank you for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This support comes after the FMCSA authorized the distribution of one million protective face masks, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), for truck drivers in partnership with states, industry stakeholders, and motor carriers.
ATG partners on Food for Front-liners effort to support workers, food pantries
The Worcester Railers Hockey Club, ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders has unveiled a new program called the Railers HC Food for Frontliners.
Through the Railers HC Food for Frontliners, the hockey club will purchase over $10,000 worth of food to be donated to local organizations throughout central Massachusetts. In addition, Advantage Truck Group (ATG) of Shrewsbury has pledged to donate food and gift cards from local restaurants to the program every Monday through the end of May which includes a donation to the Saint John’s Food for the Poor program of Worcester.
The Worcester Railers HC will purchase food from their partners for local community organizations in need and meals for the staff working on the front lines of this pandemic. The Railers will make their deliveries with the Railers HC Equipment Van presented by ATG.
“ATG has a strong tradition of giving back and is committed to fighting food insecurity in our local communities, so it was important to partner with the Railers to help support our food pantries and feed those dedicated to serving others during this crisis,” said ATG president and CEO Kevin Holmes. “We are truly inspired by those working on the front lines in our community and proud to join this effort to show our appreciation for all they are doing.”
