This week, the trucking industry showed off its generosity with donations to multiple good causes and raised awareness for key issues. Find out more in this week’s Five Good Things.
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Truck driver named TCA Highway Angel for alerting driver to danger
The Truckload Carriers Association has named truck driver Stan Combs, from Lexington, North Carolina, a TCA Highway Angel for alerting a driver that his vehicle was in distress and pulling over to check on the driver’s safety. Combs drives for ABF Freight out of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
In the early morning hours of April 23, Combs was driving northbound on Interstate 81 between Roanoke and Harrisonburg, Virginia, when he noticed sparks coming from a GMC pickup truck in front of him.
“I thought it was chains dragging,” he said. “When I saw it sparking a little too much, I was flashing my lights on and off; I was trying to get him to stop before he passed another truck, and then the sparks got even worse.”
Combs’ attempt to alert the driver of the truck was successful, and he began to pull over.
“I knew something was gonna happen,” Combs said.
The pickup then lost its right front wheel, but the driver was able to pull over to the side of the road.
“Sparks went everywhere,” Combs said. “It went from a few sparks to, when it hit the ground, it was like somebody set a fire underneath it.”
Combs, who has been driving a truck for 16 years, stopped to make sure the driver and two passengers were okay and that the vehicle did not catch on fire.
“I’m always gonna stop,” he said.
Hyundai Hope on Wheels donates $250,000 to IWK Foundation for pediatric cancer care
Hyundai Hope on Wheels made a stop in Halifax this week, holding its fourth Handprint Ceremony of the year at IWK Health in Nova Scotia, Canada, as part of Hyundai Canada's commitment to helping kids fight cancer.
IWK Health offers specialized care to children and youth across the Maritimes. Each year at IWK, there are on average 3,500 hematology/oncology clinic visits, approximately 500 hematology/oncology hospital admissions, and 340 childhood cancer survivors are followed in its long-term follow-up clinic.
"We are so grateful for Hyundai Hope on Wheels' generous donation to support pediatric oncology and hematology care at IWK Health," Jennifer Gillivan, president and CEO, IWK Foundation, said. "Our region's sickest patients come to the IWK for care, and your incredible support will help bring hope to families facing a life-altering diagnosis. This partnership will help ensure our children and youth have the best chance for a healthy future. There is no greater gift to give."
The Handprint Ceremony is a signature event of Hyundai Hope on Wheels, inviting children and families impacted by cancer to leave their handprints on the Hyundai Hope car, symbolizing the shared strength and resilience in the fight against pediatric cancer. The event brought together representatives from Hyundai Canada, IWK Foundation, IWK Health staff, and patient ambassadors to share their support for those on the frontlines of this crucial battle.
"As we continue our journey across Canada, it's inspiring to see the impact of each Handprint Ceremony," Jessica Todd, director of sales at Hyundai Canada, said. "We're honored to stand alongside the incredible medical professionals at IWK and courageous young patients as we work together toward a future that is free of childhood cancer."
Denso donates $9,000 to Athens, Tennessee-area high schools for STEM education
Denso, a mobility supplier, announced that Denso Manufacturing Athens Tennessee (DMAT) has donated $9,000 to local high schools, giving each $1,000 to support their science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs.
The recipient schools include:
- Lenoir City High School
- Meigs County High School
- McMinn Central High School
- McMinn County High School
- Polk County High School
- Sequoyah High School
- Sweetwater High School
- Tellico Plains High School
- Walker Valley High School
Last year, as part of DMAT's efforts to improve metrics in those focus areas, the location launched a friendly competition among internal teams. It centered on a simple idea: The better your group performed, the more your group could raise up to $1,000 for local high school STEM programs.
Motivated to deliver for each other and local students, each team hit their key metrics by the conclusion of the year-long competition this spring. As a result, DMAT awarded the full donation amounts to the recipient schools on behalf of its employees.
"This competition represents the best of Denso: our teams working together to not only continuously improve but also support the communities where we live and work," Steven Hayes, director of manufacturing at DMAT, said. "We are grateful to channel the success of the project into a positive outcome for local schools and do our small part in contributing to technical education. These schools, and their STEM programs, are vital to preparing future innovators."
See also: Three fleets awarded FleetOwner Private Fleet of the Year honors
Sheetz notches $1.81M raised for local families in 2024
Sheetz announced that its employee-driven charity supporting underprivileged children, Sheetz For the Kidz, raised more than $1.81 million for local children in need in 2024. This total amount includes a record-breaking $852,476 that was raised this past December.
Created in 1992, the charity has impacted more than 180,000 children living within Sheetz’s footprint to date.
“Each year, we are deeply inspired by our customers who continue to surpass our expectations,” Brittany Funcheon, Sheetz For the Kidz executive director, said. “Their unwavering generosity brings hope and joy to thousands of children across our seven-state footprint, making the holiday season brighter and more meaningful for so many.”
During the months of July and December last year, Sheetz customers had the opportunity to make a donation to Sheetz For the Kidz at check-out through donation boxes or by adding donations to their purchase at the point of sale. These funds supported local kids in need with clothes, toys, and more through the Sheetz For the Kidz Holiday Program in partnership with the Salvation Army. Each of Sheetz’s 750-plus stores supported 16 children from their local communities, totaling more than 12,500 this past holiday season.
In partnership with Make-A-Wish, funds raised during the campaign also sponsored wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The charity sponsors one child per Sheetz operating district, totaling 78 children this past year.
To broaden the connection to the communities it serves, Sheetz For the Kidz partners with Feeding America to provide food to children in need. In 2024, its $782,000 commitment served over 1.7 million meals through backpack programs, kids cafés, school and mobile pantries, and summer feeding programs.
Pilot fuels Stroke Awareness Month with round-up and education
This May, in recognition of American Stroke Month, Pilot is raising funds for the American Heart Association to champion stroke prevention and education. From May 9-31, guests can support the cause by rounding up their purchases at checkout at participating Pilot, Flying J, and One9 Travel Center locations nationwide. All proceeds support life-saving programs, helping bring critical stroke education and resources to communities nationwide.
“People are our top priority at Pilot, and one of the ways we demonstrate this is by caring for the well-being of our team members, guests, and communities,” said Adrienne Ingoldt, Pilot’s chief marketing officer and member of the American Heart Association’s Life is Why Council. “Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, and raising awareness and providing lifesaving education is critical to helping people take action and save lives.”
This initiative is part of Miles of Good, Pilot’s recently launched giving program dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities it serves. It also marks a milestone in Pilot’s eight-year support of the American Heart Association’s Life is Why campaign, as the company expands its efforts to include fundraising specifically for American Stroke Month. In addition to fundraising, Pilot is providing its team members with virtual CPR training and access to stroke prevention resources throughout May.
“Pilot’s support of the American Heart Association’s Life Is Why campaign exemplifies the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change in heart and brain health,” Kayla Smith, executive director of the Knoxville American Heart Association, said. “This will help fund more critical research and enable us to reach more communities with lifesaving initiatives. Together, we are making strides toward a healthier future for everyone.”
