Five Good Things: Donations of equipment, money, trees, and time
The trucking industry this week was feeling especially generous, with multiple donations to different deserving causes. Read more about each donation in this week’s Five Good Things.
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Mack Trucks donates electric refuse chassis to Río Hondo College to advance heavy-duty EV training
Mack Trucks is donating a 2022 Mack LR Electric refuse chassis to Río Hondo College in Whittier, California, bolstering the college’s efforts to expand its electric vehicle training program into the heavy-duty sector.
This donation marks a milestone in Mack Trucks’ ongoing support of technical education and represents the company’s first donation to Río Hondo College. The chassis will provide hands-on training opportunities for students learning to safely work on heavy-duty battery-electric vehicles, which operate at 400-600 volts.
“As the industry continues exploring alternative fuel solutions, including battery-electric vehicles, this donation will help prepare the next generation of technicians for careers in sustainable transportation,” Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America, said. “This partnership aligns Mack Trucks’ commitment to sustainability and technical education.”
Río Hondo College’s electric vehicle program, led by professor John Frala, has been at the forefront of alternative fuel education for 30 years. The college previously collaborated with Volvo Group through the Volvo LIGHTS project, an initiative demonstrating heavy-duty battery-electric vehicle technology.
“This donation will give our program a significant boost as we expand from light-duty electric vehicles into the heavy-duty market,” Frala said. “Our students will gain invaluable experience working with cutting-edge technology that will prepare them for the future of transportation maintenance and repair.”
Truck driver named TCA Highway Angel for administering CPR
The Truckload Carriers Association has named truck driver Oleksandr Tkachuk, from Edmonton, Alberta, a TCA Highway Angel for stopping and administering CPR on the side of the road during a medical emergency. Tkachuk drives for Trimac Transportation out of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
On May 5 in Hardisty, Alberta, Tkachuk, an independent contractor out of Trimac’s Hardisty branch, pulled over to assist a vehicle stopped on the shoulder.
“On the side of the road, I saw a vehicle and two young people were helping a young man, probably about 25, who was on the ground,” Tkachuk said. “I didn’t see anyone else, so I thought that I should stop.”
Tkachuk realized that the man on the ground was unconscious and that what appeared to be the man's crying younger brother was trying to administer CPR to him. The man was unresponsive. Tkachuk asked if he could help, since he has CPR training, so he took over for the other young man.
“I was trained in CPR, and I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to use it in my life, but I needed to use it. I was doing chest compressions for this guy who was on the ground,” he said.
The young man and young woman who were at the scene held the phone, with 911 dispatch personnel on the phone talking Tkachuk through the procedure. He performed CPR for about 20 minutes, until emergency personnel arrived and took over. The young man never regained consciousness while he was there.
“I was hoping to see if he survived or not, but I don’t know,” he said. “I was doing what I was trained to do.”
PGT Trucking’s annual celebration recognizes more than 150 drivers
PGT Trucking recently recognized 48 million-mile drivers, 102 safe drivers, and 22 premier professional drivers during its annual awards celebration in May.
“When I started PGT 44 years ago, I knew that I needed a team of good people to help build my business, something that remains true to this day,” Pat Gallagher, CEO and founder of PGT Trucking, said. “PGT’s million-mile and safe drivers are the very best at our company, and I am honored and blessed to have them on our side.”
This year, PGT held a virtual event through social media, highlighting the individual award presentations made throughout the company.
PGT’s million-mile drivers have driven more than one million miles without a safety incident. PGT’s safe drivers have driven for more than five years at the company without a safety incident. PGT’s premier professionals are members of an elite fleet of company drivers who maintain performance and safety standards at all times.
The top award winners include Zachary Springer, recipient of the Bill Wright Award for Team Player of the Year; Ryan Drozynski, recipient of the David Levin Award for Company Driver of the Year; Sam Thompson-Graves, Safety Professional of the Year; Terrence Fitzgerald, recipient of the Harry “Buster” Barnes Award for Independent Contractor of the Year; Clay Jones, recipient of the Hobert Hill Award for Agent of the Year; Jarrod Waugh, Certified PRO Trainer of the Year; Cameron Foutch, Terminal Manager of the Year; Christian McCon, Rookie Driver of the Year; Doug Halulko, PGT MVP of the Year; Michael Carreon, recipient of the Terry “Kuz” Kusniar Award for Premier Professional Driver of the Year; and Laurence Cox, recipient of the President’s Award.
PGT also inducted five new million-mile drivers: Timothy Austen, Donald Cunningham, Jr., Raul Delgado, Robert Tudor, and Andrew Utz.
“Our proud professionals continually impress me with their hard work, dedication, and safe driving, evident by the number of million-mile and safe drivers we recognized this year,” Gregg Troian, PGT Trucking president, said. “PGT would not be successful without the contributions from these distinguished individuals, and I congratulate them on this tremendous achievement.”
Hankook Tire commits support to Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee - Clarksville Club
Hankook Tire has donated $20,000 to support the upcoming opening of the Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee's newest location in Clarksville, Tennessee. At an event held on May 31, officials from Hankook Tire and BGCMT – Clarksville Club came together to officially announce the tiremaker's support of the club's initiatives as they look toward the opening of their Clarksville location.
Hankook Tire will support BGCMT's plans to bring its services to the greater Clarksville area. BGCMT announced plans to open a new club in the area in June 2024, following an assessment that identified a need for the club's presence to bring enrichment and activities to the city's youth. BGCMT will offer dedicated, curriculum-based programs to help club members achieve success in priority areas, including academics, healthy lifestyles, and good character and leadership.
"Clarksville is home to our North America manufacturing operation, and we are dedicated to supporting the community where so many of us live and work," Rob Williams, president of Hankook Tire America Corp., said. "We have seen the great work that the Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee has done in the region and are certain that the club's presence in Clarksville will bring important academic enrichment and community to many of our own employees' families. We are excited and honored to be able to support that mission."
Hankook opened its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Clarksville in October 2017. Since then, the tiremaker has become an integral part of the Clarksville community. Its $800 million facility in Clarksville currently employs more than 1,000 employees and produces 5 million tires each year. The Tennessee plant is currently undergoing two expansions simultaneously to expand production of both its passenger car and light truck, and truck and bus radial lines.
Hankook presented the check to BGCMT – Clarksville Club during its Summer Festival community event held on May 31. The event brought together local vendors, entertainment, and attractions for a family-friendly fundraiser for the Clarksville Club. In addition to the donation, Hankook served as a corporate sponsor for the Summer Festival.
"We are incredibly grateful and excited to have Hankook Tire as a partner. Their generous donation demonstrates a profound belief in our mission and a commitment to the future of Clarksville's youth," said Deidre Ward, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee board member and Clarksville committee chair. "We have a significant need for safe, affordable, and enriching environments for the youth in our community. Hankook's investment will directly help us establish a club where every child can reach their full potential. We are thrilled to partner with a company that not only provides economic growth to our city but also deeply invests in the well-being and success of our youngest citizens."
Bridgestone to plant over 86,800 trees following annual campaign
Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO), a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, announced it will support the planting of over 86,800 tree seedlings following the company’s third annual “Download the App, Plant a Tree” campaign. The initiative encouraged customers of Firestone Complete Auto Care and Tires Plus to help stores reduce paper waste and contribute to a more sustainable society.
BSRO chose The Nature Conservancy as the recipient of funding to plant a tree for every My Firestone and Tires Plus app downloaded between Earth Day and the conclusion of Bridgestone’s Sustainable Business Week. As a result of this year’s customer downloads, BSRO is donating $57,500 to plant 86,825 seedlings, the equivalent of more than 287 acres of trees, in the Mississippi River Delta region to reforest flood-prone areas and protect at-risk farmland.
“Our annual Plant a Tree campaign is one of the many ways our customers continue to show up and serve as enthusiastic partners in our sustainability journey throughout the year,” Marko Ibrahim, president, Bridgestone Retail Operations, said. “We are grateful for their support as we work to make our communities safer and more sustainable for current and future generations.”
