Five good things that happened in trucking this week—July 16

Recently, I was reminded of the impact of Pay It Forward, the act of responding to a person's kindness to oneself by being kind to someone else. While paying it forward can come in all forms, the essential message is the same, and the trucking industry continues to follow in its footsteps. Here are five good things that happened in trucking this week. 

TCA Scholarship Fund awards most students to date; announces new scholarship

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) Scholarship Fund is providing financial assistance to 57 undergraduate students, the most recipients in its 48-year history, for the 2021-22 academic school year. Each student will receive funds ranging from $2,725 to $6,250 from a total pool of $163,775.

TCA also revealed a new, fully endowed Past Chairmen’s Fund scholarship—the Robert D. Penner Scholarship. For a TCA Past Chairman to have a fully endowed scholarship in their name, their Past Chairmen’s Fund is required to receive $50,000 in donations.

“Each year, the list of nominees for the Influential Woman in Trucking Award becomes even more impressive,” Ellen Voie, president and CEO of Women In Trucking, said. “Women are certainly making their mark in our industry and this recognition is our way of telling their stories to inspire others.”

Pilot Flying J, Heinz, and Oscar Mayer celebrate National Hot Dog Day with prizes

Pilot Flying J, Heinz, and Oscar Mayer are teaming up for a National Hot Dog Day celebration and beyond with the #ShareaDogSweepstakes and an exclusive offer for a free hot dog at Pilot Flying J on National Hot Dog Day. 

Beginning July 13 through August 10, fans are encouraged to post a photo-sharing a moment or memory with loved ones and enjoying hot dogs for a chance to be one of 10 lucky “wieners” receiving a $500 Pilot Flying J gift card. To enter, tweet or post the photo on Twitter or Instagram and include “#ShareADogSweepstakes” and tag @PilotFlyingJ. Winners will be notified via Twitter or Instagram on or around August 11.

On National Hot Dog Day, Wednesday, July 21, customers can claim a free hot dog at Pilot Flying J, paired with all of their favorite HEINZ condiments, or try a new HEINZ Dip Cup for a twist on the classic with a variety of sauces including barbecue, ranch, sweet and sour, and honey mustard.

“This year, it’s such a great feeling to enjoy being with family and friends that we haven’t seen in a while,” says Brian Ferguson, Chief Merchant for Pilot Flying J. “Nothing says summertime quite like a backyard BBQ or a road trip with loved ones and an Oscar Mayer hot dog, especially a free one!”

To top off the celebration, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will be making appearances at two Pilot Flying J locations in Newark and Carney’s Point, New Jersey on July 21 and 26, piloted by a team of Hotdoggers, who buckle their “meatbelts” and travel in a giant rolling hot dog to spread miles of smiles to fans everywhere. Today, the giant hot dog on wheels can be measured as 60 hot dogs long and 24 hots dogs high (which is 27 feet long and 11 feet tall).

West Michigan parts campaign raises $12,500 for local charities

West Michigan International, K&R Truck Sales, and Idealease of West Michigan promoted a parts sales campaign to raise money for Lori’s Voice and Hand2Hand during the months of May and June this year. They donated 10% of their profits to these two organizations, totaling $12,500. Lori’s Voice and Hand2Hand each received $6,250.

Every year, many customers, suppliers, and employees get involved to help raise money for the selected charities through this parts campaign. There are a different groups of charities selected each year and many are suggested by employees. This year, there were six suppliers that had a share in the campaign: Bendix, Cummins Filtration, Delco, Hendrickson, International/Fleetrite, and Shell. 

“Hand2Hand is honored to partner with West Michigan International, K&R, and Idealease as we seek to eliminate child weekend hunger in West Michigan,” Cheri Honderd, founder and executive director of Hand2Hand, said. “Together, we can ensure every student, ages 3-18 in West Michigan have access to weekend food. Hand2Hand puts weekend food into the hands of over 8,000 in 233 schools in West Michigan because of generous donations like this and thousands of volunteers who link arms for kids!”

Like father, like daughter: Pair make up UPS delivery duo

What started out as a father coaching his little girl in softball has blossomed into a lifelong father-daughter duo. First Mya Anderson followed in her father’s footsteps in sports, now she is following them once again as a UPS driver. She says she couldn’t have a better coach.

Whether it’s climbing aboard the back of the truck to deliver packages, or stepping into the batter’s box to deliver an RBI for her softball team, Anderson’s biggest supporter and inspiration has always been her dad, Dwyane Anderson, who has been a UPS driver for the past 33 years.

“Kind of like [sports], you meet a lot of different people, for the majority, most people are pretty nice,” said Dwayne. “[When Mya joined UPS,] I was excited. I know what type of person Mya is, and I knew this would be a job that she could do.”

Anderson said above all else what her father has taught her the most is to be positive.