• Five Good Things: Trucking innovates for good

    Ford employee improves food bank efficiency; TCA names a new Highway Angel; CVSA awards scholarships; DHL Supply Chain supports Girl Scouts; and Goodyear donates blimp.
    July 25, 2025
    7 min read

    The trucking industry is always focused on serving its communities. But this week, industry members upped their game with new innovations for good. Learn more in this week’s Five Good Things.

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    Truck driver named TCA Highway Angel for aiding injured motorcyclist

    The Truckload Carriers Association has named truck driver Kevin Olsen of Logan, Utah, a TCA Highway Angel for stopping to aid a motorcyclist who had crashed in front of him on the road. Olsen drives for Truline Corporation out of Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Around 9:10 a.m. on June 4 in Garden City, Utah, Olsen was en route to a customer, traveling behind a motorcyclist on US-89N. The motorcyclist lost control of his vehicle and crashed on the roadway.

    “I came to a stop and went to assess the situation,” Olsen said. “He was having trouble breathing; I think it was as a result of the impact with the road.”

    Olsen got the crash victim ibuprofen and water, and he finally was able to catch his breath. He complained of rib pain but didn’t appear to have any other obvious injuries. Though there was no cellphone coverage in the accident area, a passing driver alerted emergency personnel with a satellite phone. Olsen also helped to make sure that passing motorists did so at a pace that was safe. He remained on the scene for over 90 minutes, assisting with the accident, before emergency responders told him he could leave.

    “I didn’t want to leave him hanging,” Olsen said. “I ride a motorcycle myself, and this easily could have been me. I felt like it was my responsibility to make sure he was taken care of.”

    Goodyear to donate last remaining GZ20-ERA blimp gondola to the EAA Museum

    The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company recently announced that it will donate its last-remaining blimp gondola frame to the EAA Museum as part of a new children's exhibit.

    The gondola frame is from Goodyear's GZ20 model era of blimps that spanned nearly 40 years. In that time period, as one blimp retired, its gondola was often refurbished for a new blimp. The gondola frame being donated to the EAA Museum was previously used on the Europa, Goodyear's Blimp that flew throughout Europe in the 1980s, as well as on the Florida-based Stars and Stripes in the early 2000s. 

    "As we celebrate our blimp program's 100th anniversary, there's no better way to honor its legacy than by inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts," Michael Dougherty, Goodyear's chief pilot, said. "We hope this exhibit sparks curiosity and dreams of flight on aircraft of all kinds in countless children into the future."

    Girl Scouts of the USA introduces Solutions Superstar program in Partnership with DHL Supply Chain

    Girl Scouts of the USA recently launched Solutions Superstar, a new Girl Scout patch program to challenge girls to be creative, solution-minded leaders. Made possible by DHL Supply Chain, this program emphasizes logical reasoning and problem solving.

    Following a two-year pilot with select Girl Scout councils, the challenge-based activity program is now available nationally for all Girl Scouts. From planning cookie delivery routes to inventing new gadgets, girls will build key skills like creative thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving, getting a peek into how logistics keeps the world moving.

    Through these challenge-based activities, Girl Scouts get to put their curiosity to work while building practical life skills they can use in school, their communities, and beyond. Each activity also includes a Future Focus section, helping girls connect what they’re learning to real-world careers and opening their eyes to exciting possibilities in supply chain, logistics, engineering, and technology.

    “We are so grateful for DHL’s ongoing support and collaboration on this incredible hands-on program,” said GSUSA CEO Bonnie Barczykowski. “By taking on a variety of challenges to earn the Solutions Superstar patch, Girl Scouts can discover new interests, build self-confidence and cultivate their investigative skills, all while exploring unique, in-demand career pathways in a field they may have never imagined.” 

    The proficiencies gained from Girl Scout programming, such as the Solutions Superstar patch program, empower girls to shape the way they imagine their future careers. Women are underrepresented in many industries, including the supply chain and logistics fields. This program is designed to accelerate progress by providing girls with the tools needed to bridge the gap and expose them to a unique career path.

    “DHL Supply Chain is pleased to partner with GSUSA and is committed to investing in helping girls develop life-readiness skills while introducing them to careers in logistics. Together, we’re opening doors and inspiring the next generation of female C-suite change-makers,” said Jim Monkmeyer, president of transportation for DHL Supply Chain North America and first vice chair of Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland.

    See also: CVSA releases 2025 Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative results

    CVSA awards $5,000 college scholarships to two students

    The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance recently announced that high school graduates Madyson Daniels and Trey Johnson will each receive $5,000 toward their college education as the recipients of the alliance’s college scholarship awards.

    The scholarships were awarded to Daniels and Johnson in recognition of their academic achievements, dedication to community service, plans for their futures, and leadership.

    Scholarship award recipients must be the legal dependents of a current CVSA member. College scholarship recipient Madyson Daniels is the daughter of Robert “Joey” Daniels with the California Highway Patrol. She will attend Grand Canyon University and plans to major in communication sciences and disorders (speech pathology). Trey Johnson is the son of Brady Johnson with the Louisiana State Police. He plans to major in biology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

    “The CVSA College Scholarship Award Program is the Alliance’s contribution to supporting and empowering the next generation,” said CVSA President Capt. John Hahn, with the Colorado State Patrol. “CVSA believes that education is a powerful tool for transforming lives, and we hope that our support can help our scholarship recipients achieve their academic and career goals, with access to the education they deserve.”

    CVSA will begin accepting next year’s scholarship applications in February 2026.

    How a Ford employee volunteer helped a food bank serve more families, faster

    "During COVID, I was the one waiting in line to pick up food for my neighbors. Years later, when given the chance to volunteer, I knew I could help make the process more efficient," shared Shanikia Little, a Ford software engineer.

    Her motivation is a familiar one at Ford, where many employees are encouraged to share their skills with the local community. For decades, Ford volunteers have supported Gleaners Community Food Bank, a longtime Ford Philanthropy partner and member of the Feeding America network, in its mission to fight food insecurity across Southeast Michigan.

    When the pandemic challenged traditional food distribution methods, Gleaners implemented a drive-up model to safely serve families. Over time, they refined the process by separating walk-up and drive-up services and reorganizing traffic flow, improving efficiency and reducing wait times.

    As this model evolved, Little saw an opportunity to make things even better. Volunteering her time and technical expertise, she helped design a mobile conveyor belt system to simplify the packing and distribution process. The solution reduced physical strain on volunteers, sped up food distribution, and increased Gleaners' capacity to serve more people.

    Gleaners now distributes 14,000 meal kits per month and serves around 200 people per hour—doubling its previous rate. The improvements are now being implemented at Gleaners distribution sites across Michigan.

    Little is an example of what is possible when a Ford employee volunteers their skills and expertise with organizations like Gleaners. Ford volunteers continue to play a hands-on role at Gleaners, applying their skills to support everything from packing meal kits to improving how food reaches the families and individuals they serve. 

    About the Author

    Jenna Hume

    Digital Editor

    Digital Editor Jenna Hume joined FleetOwner in November of 2023 and previously worked as a writer in the gaming industry. She has a bachelor of fine arts degree in creative writing from Truman State University and a master of fine arts degree in writing from Lindenwood University. She is currently based in Missouri. 

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