The trucking industry this week focused on variety, from supporting people, animals, programs, and more. Learn about each of these charitable acts in this week’s Five Good Things.
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Truckstop contributes to raising awareness about human trafficking
In recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Truckstop is making a charitable donation to Truckers Against Trafficking, a nonprofit organization that helps to educate, equip, empower, and mobilize the trucking, bus, and energy industries to combat human trafficking.
"Truckstop proudly supports Truckers Against Trafficking, an organization we've supported for numerous years, both as a corporate entity and through contributions from individual employees," said Truckstop CEO Kendra Tucker. "The fight against human trafficking is an ongoing battle that demands continued support, and there's an opportunity for everyone to get involved."
Additionally, Truckstop is committed to raising awareness about this important initiative. The company dedicated a recent episode of its 'Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast' to discuss the issue of human trafficking with Laura Cyrus, senior director of industry training and outreach at Truckers Against Trafficking. The host and Brent Hutto, Truckstop's CRO, talked with Cyrus about the passion and commitment that fuels her efforts to empower truckers and how she's on a mission to build a movement to end human trafficking.
"Truckers Against Trafficking is immensely grateful for the support received from Truckstop," said Cyrus. "Truckstop is utilizing its influential platform to further our message and promote engagement within its extensive network. Although significant strides have been made in educating individuals to identify and report human trafficking, the crucial need to disseminate this life-saving information throughout the industry cannot be emphasized enough. Putting an end to human trafficking requires the commitment and vigilance of everyone."
See also: NMFTA takes stance against human trafficking with U.S. DOT
DHL supports conservation in South Africa
DHL recently partnered with VulPro in South Africa for Africa's largest vulture relocation project. As part of this conservative initiative, DHL was responsible for the transportation and security of the birds from VulPro Hartbeespoort to VulPro in the Shamwari Game Reserve.
According to VulPro, vultures face multiple man-made threats, including but not limited to poisoning, power line collisions and electrocutions, direct harvesting for cultural beliefs, and ever-decreasing foraging ranges. It is possible that some vulture species may become extinct in our lifetime. Through collaboration and innovation, DHL's support helped VulPro continue its mission to save Africa's vultures.
Fedex volunteers package meals to honor MLK Day
Last week, hundreds of FedEx team members volunteered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, packaging 210,000-plus meals with nonprofit Rise Against Hunger.
Rise Against Hunger aims to provide nourishment for those facing hunger today and implement sustainable solutions that will benefit communities for years to come. The meals FedEx team members helped packaged will feed the hungry across the globe.
XPO solves elementary school construction emergency
Recently, XPO stepped in to help an elementary school complete its construction on time. According to Cullen Quinn, principal of Armstrong Elementary School in Highland Park, Texas, construction outside the elementary school was scheduled to be completed over a weekend. The npurpose of this was to avoid exposing students to the construction site, but disaster struck when Quinn was informed that the bike racks wouldn’t arrive in time.
“That was when I contacted Mario Harik, CEO of the supplier's contracted freight carrier, XPO,” said Quinn. “[He] mobilized his team of LTL assassins who worked the following 34 hours and through the night to deliver the bike racks from Minnesota in perfect condition and on time by Saturday morning.”
According to Quinn, the bike racks arrived just in time for construction to be completed on schedule, keeping students and staff from being exposed to the construction site.
Kenworth T280 concrete pump truck auctioned to support CIM education program
To support the Concrete Industry Management education program, Kenworth, Papé Kenworth, and Alliance Concrete Pumps partnered to donate a Kenworth T280 concrete pump truck to be sold at the annual CIM auction at World of Concrete in Las Vegas.
All proceeds from the sale of the truck will be donated to the CIM program that awards scholarships to students pursuing four-year Bachelor of Science degrees in Concrete Industry Management at Middle Tennessee State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Texas State University, California State University – Chico, and South Dakota State University.
The Kenworth T280 ie equipped with a Paccar PX-7 engine and a truck-mounted Alliance Concrete Pumps JMP-60 line pump. Other contributing suppliers for this truck include Alcoa Wheels, Goodyear Tires, and Allison Transmission. The T280 concrete pump does not require a CDL to operate, making it a versatile and convenient option.
“The CIM education program is key to developing future leaders in the concrete industry,” said Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing. “The company that places the winning bid will receive an excellent truck to add to their operation while supporting a great program.”
