Five good things that happened in trucking this week—Oct. 1

For the last 79 weeks, I have found nearly 400 good things that the trucking industry has done for its community. I am never disappointed that, week after week, those within this incredibly giving community continue to put others first, taking time out to better the lives of those around them. Here are five good things that happened in trucking this week.

Bendix volunteers build 31 beds for children in need

More than 90 Bendix volunteers were joined by Luke Mickelson, founder of the nonprofit organization Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), and worked to construct beds for the company’s Sleep in Heavenly Peace "Build Day." Mickelson made a surprise appearance, traveling from his home in Twin Falls, Idaho, to join the build and deliver opening remarks. The volunteer event centered around the construction of 31 handmade wooden beds and a $5,000 grant from Bendix to SHP.

The Bendix grant covered the cost of all materials needed to build and furnish the beds, including mattresses and bedding. In addition, Bendix organized a donation drive to collect funds and in-kind donations of bedding that could be included with the beds or gifted to future SHP recipients.

The morning of the build, additional Bendix volunteers and family members made 100 hand-tied fleece blankets in partnership with the Michigan nonprofit Fleece & Thank You, for donation to the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital and SHP recipients.

“All of us were incredibly honored to share this experience with Luke,” said Maria Gutierrez, director of corporate responsibility and sustainability at Bendix. “Working together to benefit the people in our communities is particularly important to all of us at Bendix. And the fact that Luke Mickelson took the time to travel here, working shoulder to shoulder with our team for this event, meant a lot to our volunteers.”

Landstar reveals winner of 2021 Deliver to Win Truck Giveaway

Landstar revealed that independent owner-operator Mike Lamb of Joshua, Texas, is the winner of the 2021 Landstar Deliver to Win Truck Giveaway. Lamb won a 2022 Kenworth T680.

The winner was determined by each of the five finalists selecting a single box among five boxes, one of which indicated the recipient of a new truck. Lamb chose Box B in honor of his nicknames for his daughter and granddaughter, Jelly Bean and JB Jr., which made him the winner of a concord blue Kenworth featuring a 455hp Paccar MX engine, front and rear disc brakes, Bendix Wingman Fusion Driver Assistance system and a 76" high-roof sleeper.

“The timing of this couldn’t be more perfect,” Lamb said. “I’m close to paying off my current truck and have been planning to expand my business with a second truck and driver. Now I can do that with two fully paid-for trucks!” 

USA Truck raises more than $12,000 for new Ronald McDonald House

After a companywide campaign, USA Truck raised more than $12,000 in goods for the new Ronald McDonald House in Fort Smith, which is opening this fall.

UPS driver wins 2021 Jim Casey Community Service Award

When UPSer Harry Kpoh immigrated to the U.S. from Liberia, he was grateful to escape the effects from years of civil war.

Kpoh has never forgotten the struggles faced by fellow immigrants or the harsh conditions that persist in his home country. Drawing on his personal experiences, networking skills, and passion for serving others, he raises funds and builds partnerships to aid Liberians in the U.S. and abroad.

Learn more about his story and see why he is the 2021 Jim Casey Community Service Award winner—an annual award recognizing a UPSer who embraces the parcel delivery company's legacy of volunteerism and community service. 

Dot Foods reveals September charitable update

Dot Foods has a long history of charitable work. Earlier this month, the company released its 2020 charitable report with donations last year totaling nearly $17 million. Most of these contributions were in the form of excess product donated to food pantries. To date, the company has given more than $23 million worth of product for pandemic relief.

While COVID-19 escalated the company’s food donations, Dot was no stranger to supporting local pantries before 2020. Through its Neighbor-to-Neighbor program, the company has stocked pantries with about $350,000 worth of food and necessities annually.

Here are some of the philanthropic activities from the month of September: 

• After Hurricane Ida, FEMA connected Dot with the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) to donate 55,000 pounds of obsolete items to help people in Louisiana. 
• Dot also gave employees an opportunity to help those impacted by Ida. Dot matched all employee donations to the American Red Cross this month. 
• Dot Foods Mt. Sterling gave a $20,000 grant to Camp Point, Illinois, to build new playground equipment for a local park.
• Headquarters presented a $5,000 check to Cherish the Moments to restore the grounds of the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, Illinois. Members of our Veterans Employee Resource Group (ERG) helped with some landscaping. 
• Dot Foods St. Louis held its third-annual Charity Bags Tournament benefiting Youth in Need. The event raised $1,400 for the organization. 
• A group of employees from Dot's St. Louis office participated in the St. Louis Meal Pack on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The event packed more than 2,000 meals for local residents. 
• Dot Foods Chicago made several recent donations. They contributed $5,000 to Skills for Chicagoland’s Future to help residents with job placement. Another $5,000 went to an annual fundraiser for Alicia’s House food pantry. Toiletries worth $2,500 were provided to Bag Lady Outreach to give to local students.