Averitt partners with radio station to deliver holiday cards to soldiers overseas
Averitt associates are spreading joy this holiday season by delivering more than 15,000 Christmas and holiday cards to soldiers stationed overseas. The effort was coordinated as part of the “10,000 for the Troops” program, organized by New Country 96.3 radio station in Dallas, Texas.
Averitt donated 15,101 personalized cards this year, surpassing the radio station’s goal of 10,000. Associates based in the company’s locations in Texas participated in signing cards throughout the year.
Averitt’s involvement in the program dates back to 2022 when Averitt associates signed approximately 1,000 cards in one week after hearing about the card drive on a local radio broadcast. During the card drop-off, Averitt learned the station faced logistical challenges with delivering the cards. Without hesitation, Averitt’s Dallas team stepped in to help. In 2023, Averitt became an official sponsor of the “10,000 for the Troops” program to continue to help spread holiday cheer to those serving our country abroad.
“Being far from home is challenging no matter the season, and these personalized cards serve as a connection to the warmth and love of home,” said Gary Sasser, chairman and CEO of Averitt, who served in the Marine Corps Reserves. “We want them to know that we are thinking of them and appreciate what they do for our country.”
Advantage Truck Group delivers thousands of meals and donates over 34,000 Meals to Food Pantry organizations
Advantage Truck Group delivered thousands of meals to thirteen food pantry organizations across three states from December 12-21 through its annual Haulin’ 4 Hunger donations.
“At ATG, giving back to our communities by helping to fight hunger and food insecurity is one of our top priorities,” says Kevin G. Holmes, president and CEO of ATG. “We are grateful for the continued support our employees, customers, and business partners have for Haulin’ 4 Hunger and their commitment to help meet increased demand our food pantries are facing during the holidays and throughout the year.”
ATG and its Haulin’ 4 Hunger team led two caravans of trucks from its Shrewsbury, Massachusetts dealership to hand-deliver 4,200 meals of fresh turkey with all the trimmings to seven organizations offering food pantries and other services. Donations of fresh holiday meals were made throughout Worcester and other Central Massachusetts communities to Boys & Girls Club of Worcester, Friendly House, Jeremiah’s Inn, Marlborough Community Cupboard, South Worcester Neighborhood Center, and St. Anne’s Human Services and Veterans, Inc.
Throughout December, ATG employees will also deliver nonperishable meals to LISTEN Food Pantry, New Hampshire Food Bank, Our Community Table, Our Place Drop-In Center, Raynham Food Basket, and Seabrook Food Pantry.
TCA asks the public to vote on Highway Angels of the Year
Public voting for the TCA Highway Angels of the Year award is now open. The annual awards program occurs at TCA’s March 2024 convention and will recognize three professional truck drivers who have demonstrated exceptional courage and courtesy on the nation’s roadways. This year, six outstanding finalists have been selected, and the public is invited to vote to determine the top three drivers who will be crowned TCA Highway Angels of the Year.
This year’s finalists are:
- Anthony Blunnie (Knight Transportation)
- Dawna Jacobson (Erb Transport, LTD)
- Ebern Wiley (Melton Truck Lines)
- Jesse Fulton (Buchheit Logistics)
- Mario Tyszuk (Bison Transport)
- Terry Reavis (Maverick Transportation)
This will be the first year TCA recognizes three finalists, expanding from just one in years past, thanks to the program’s sponsors: EpicVue, DriverFacts, and Northland Insurance.
Merchants Fleet helps staff make charitable donations
Merchants Fleet recently completed its inaugural “Give With Merchants” program. During a two-week giving period, which spanned Thanksgiving and GivingTuesday, Merchants Fleet gifted each of its employees $150 to donate to a charity of their choice. This led the company to donate $100,000 to 64 diverse charities ranging from local to international nonprofits.
“The Give With Merchants program is a testament to Merchants’ unwavering commitment to creating a meaningful impact in the community,” said Ted Lague, director of ESG at Merchants Fleet. “In an era where corporate philanthropy has often lacked innovation, Merchants is rewriting the playbook. What makes this initiative so special is how it equitably amplifies all voices in our company while providing an incredible opportunity for every employee to make an impact in our shared community.”
Merchants absorbed all the ‘Give With Merchants’ processing fees, ensuring that every cent donated was fully directed to the chosen charities. In addition, the program’s reach was extended with an extra $20,000 raised through strategic third-party matches, amplifying the overall impact of this initiative.
Lily Transportation donates to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program
This year, Lily Transportation collected over 2,500 toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. These donations were recently delivered by Lily Transportation staff to local Toys for Tots centers throughout the country.
Valerie St. John, director of compliance & driver retention who coordinated the effort for Lily, said this is the fifth year the company has brought the joy of Christmas to children, collecting over 10,000 new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.
