As July 4, 2020 comes upon us, the definition of patriotism comes to my mind: devotion to and vigorous support for one's country. These past several months, the trucking industry has done nothing but prove its support for our country, working day and night to make sure that the nation stays afloat during these unprecedented times. As proof of that continued devotion, here are five good things that happened in trucking this week.
Love’s Travel Stops supports military families through Operation Homefront
Love's Travel Stops is donating $125,000 to Operation Homefront, the national nonprofit whose mission is to build strong, stable and secure military families. The nonprofit provides food assistance, auto and home repair, vision care, travel and transportation, moving assistance, essential home items and rent-free transitional housing for wounded veterans.
Customers can increase the donation amount by purchasing a special edition 24-ounce mug for $7.99. For each mug purchased, Love's will donate an additional $2 to the nonprofit. The mugs can be purchased at any Love's Travel Stop beginning July 1.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on our veterans, service members and their families," said Robert Thomas, chief operating officer of Operation Homefront. "We are grateful to our friends at Love's Travel Stops who have joined Operation Homefront to serve America's military families at a time when they need our support more than ever."
WIT launches HERoes of the Highway photo contest
For its annual photo contest, Women In Trucking (WIT) decided to make it superhero themed in direct reflection of how truck drivers have been the heroes during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
To be considered, participants can submit photos in their best superhero post in front of a truck between August 3-14 on the WIT website. From there, WIT members and the industry will vote online between August 17-28 to determine the People’s Choice Winner. A panel of judges will also choose their favorite to be named Judges’ Choice.
The winners will be recognized at a reception at the 2020 Accelerate! Conference in Dallas, Texas on September 23-25, featured in a press release, receive social media promotion and be featured in the Women In Trucking Association’s Redefining the Road magazine.
Check out the overall contest rules here.
NFI Industries driver helps elderly man cross a busy street
Sometimes, good deeds do go unpunished. Exhibit A: NFI Industries driver Daniel from the Miami Terminal helped an elderly man cross a busy Miami street. Daniel’s good deed was caught on camera by a bystander and rewarded in kind by the trucking industry.
Pilot Flying J kicks off annual Road Warrior contest
Pilot Flying J kicked off its seventh annual Road Warrior contest this week to recognize professional truck drivers for their dedication to keeping our country going. From June 22 through July 20, anyone can nominate a professional driver into the Road Warrior contest for the chance to be named the 2020 Road Warrior and receive the grand prize of $10,000.
New this year, Pilot Flying J is also introducing a weekly sweepstakes to the program and will randomly select 100 professional driver entries each week during the nomination period – for a total of 400 winners throughout the contest – to win 5,000 myRewards loyalty points, a $50 in-store value.
“Professional drivers brave the roads each and every day to safely transport the goods that keep America moving,” said Ken Parent, president of Pilot Flying J. “The Road Warrior program is our way of thanking drivers and showing them how grateful we are for their dedication and tireless work, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We invite the public and the industry to join us in recognizing the many exceptional drivers for their continuous hard work to support the economy and our nation.”
To honor these unsung “heroes on the road,” Pilot Flying J is now accepting online story submissions about professional drivers that go above and beyond as Road Warriors in the industry and in their communities.
UPS driver has a surprise for a young boy who just returned from the hospital
This past Saturday, UPS driver Brian Norberg surprised Samuel, a young boy who just returned from the hospital. To welcome him home, Norberg brought UPS swag and trinkets to sport and play with as he recuperates. Welcome home, Samuel!
