Five Good Things: Heroic acts, fleet programs, and nonprofit support

Gary Sinise Foundation and ATD honor first responders

The Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF) and American Tire Distributors (ATD) recently joined forces to honor and support central North Carolina first responders by serving meals of gratitude through Serving Heroes.

GSF and ATD presented grants totaling almost $150,000 to four local departments in the central North Carolina region, funding equipment as part of GSF’s First Responders Outreach program. These grants were made possible through donations received from ATD’s vendor partners throughout 2024.

Those departments receiving equipment grants include:

• Iredell County Volunteer Search & Rescue Team: $20,000 for a drone
• Burke Rescue Squadron: $9,446 for rope rescue equipment
• North Catawba Fire-Rescue Department: $81,305 for a rescue boat with a fire pump
• Bethlehem Community Fire and Rescue: $37,400 for a Side by Side to aid in woodland response

“We are honored to support the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting others,” Laurie Heavner, chief people officer at ATD, said. “Partnering with the Gary Sinise Foundation allows us to give back in a meaningful way and show our appreciation for our everyday heroes.”

The event brought together approximately 10 ATD volunteers who served lunch to more than 40 first responders from the grant recipients. 

Truck driver named TCA Highway Angel for helping injured crash victim

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named truck driver Alexander Smith a TCA Highway Angel for stopping to help during a crash in the middle of the night in Oklahoma. Smith drives for Melton Truck Lines out of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Around 2:00 a.m. on June 18, Smith was driving westbound on I-44 in heavy rain. A car passed him, then passed the semi in front of him. He witnessed the car hydroplane and lose control. The vehicle flipped and spun multiple times before finally landing on the shoulder of the highway.

“I realized the guy was doing flips—he was doing them right in front of the other semi,” he said. Smith slowed down to create space between his truck and the wrecked car. He then pulled over, got out, and rushed to check on the driver.

“He landed right side up in the ditch,” Smith said. “All the airbags were deployed; honestly, after watching what happened, I thought there was no way this guy was alive.”

When he reached the vehicle, the driver had some visible cuts and scrapes but was conscious.

“The guy was just sitting there looking at me,” Smith said. “Obviously, he was in shock, but the first thing he said to me was, ‘Can you help me find my phone?’”

Smith asked if he was okay, helped him out of the car to safety, and called 911.

The young man was shaken and sustained minor injuries, but thankfully, none were serious. He was grateful that Smith had been there to help.

“I stopped because I was there,” he said. “Who else was gonna do it? I believe that you’re put in places for a reason.”

Mercedes-Benz USA and Atlanta United’s Brad Guzan help rebuild inventory for the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta after fire

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) recently hosted an employee cookout. As part of the celebration, participants built furniture for the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta to support local families in need. The furniture built at the event will help replenish the nonprofit’s inventory following a warehouse fire in June. Atlanta United goalkeeper and MBUSA brand ambassador Brad Guzan assisted with furniture assembly and led soccer drills for children in attendance.

“We are proud to call Atlanta our home, and MBUSA employees are passionate about supporting the communities in which we live and work,” Adam Chamberlain, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, said. “The destructive fire at the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta spotlighted an urgent need, and I am proud that together with our MBUSA ambassador and community advocate Brad Guzan, we ensured that when our employees gathered for a Labor Day cookout, we gathered to build the furniture that supports local families.”

In addition to assembling furniture, volunteers crafted encouraging cards for the families who will receive the new items.

The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta provides essential home furnishings to individuals and families moving out of homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, and living with HIV/AIDS. By providing beds, tables, and sofas, the Furniture Bank helps turn an empty house into a home, offering stability and dignity to thousands of people in need each year.

See also: Podcast: For-hire trucking’s overcapacity problem and what it means for the freight market

Pilot celebrates Driver Appreciation Month, partners with Diesel Brothers for Road Warrior Giveaway

Pilot is celebrating professional drivers throughout September with a Road Warrior contest and exclusive deals for Driver Appreciation Month. This year, Pilot is teaming up with TV and YouTube stars, Diesel Brothers, to award the 2025 Road Warrior winner with a customized Kenworth semi-truck and a $50,000 cash prize.

“At every turn, professional drivers bring their grit and dedication to deliver the goods that keep our economy moving,” Jordan Spradling, VP of transportation and logistics at Pilot, said. “We owe professional drivers our gratitude for their hard work. Driver Appreciation Month is an opportunity for us to say ‘thanks for the drive’ and show drivers how much they matter by recognizing and rewarding them for going the extra mile.”

Pilot's annual Road Warrior contest shines a spotlight on the stories of professional drivers who go the distance with excellent safety records and service to the community. This year, the Diesel Brothers are joining Pilot to create the ultimate big rig—a fully customized Kenworth. Fans can watch this truck come to life by following @SparksMotorsCo on YouTube as they overhaul the rig for Pilot’s Road Warrior winner. Nominate a driver for the chance to win the 2025 Road Warrior grand prize of a custom Kenworth truck and $50,000 by completing the entry form between September 2 and September 19, 2025. The grand prize winner will be announced in October 2025.

To show appreciation for all professional drivers, Pilot is offering deals just for them in the Pilot app at participating Pilot, Flying J, and One9 travel centers, including:

• Three free drinks every week, featuring top-selling brands from the cooler
• Extra deals and exclusive discounts on popular snacks and signature Pilot food items
• A 10% discount on food and beverages for military and veteran professional drivers authenticated through ID.me

Albertsons Companies Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Program advances hunger relief programs 

In recognition of Hunger Action Month, Albertsons Companies, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, recently announced a series of initiatives aimed at ending the cycle of hunger in local communities.

“With food insecurity on the rise, we’re doubling down on innovation, collaboration, and empowering communities,” said Jennifer Saenz, CCO at Albertsons Cos. and board chair of the Foundation. “Hunger Action Month is a powerful reminder that together, we can take meaningful action toward a future where no family goes hungry.”

Throughout September, the company’s Nourishing Neighbors charitable program will be raising funds to support hunger relief efforts in local communities. Customers shopping at any Albertsons Cos. store, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, ACME, and Tom Thumb, will have the opportunity to donate at the register, with every dollar going directly back to local community programs that help families put food on the table. More than 100 local food banks, food pantries, and other community organizations will receive Nourishing Neighbors grants funded by customer donations to support neighbors in need.

This month, the Foundation is also announcing the first five recipients of this year’s Nourishing Neighbors Innovation Spark Grants, with more to follow. Now in its third year, these grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations that develop new programs designed to create long-term solutions and empower individuals and families to achieve lasting food security.

These grants, ranging from nearly $200,000 to $900,000, are part of the Foundation’s annual $10 million commitment to ending the cycle of hunger through various initiatives. The initial recipients of the 2025 Innovation Spark Grants include:

• NeighborShare: Awarded a $900,000 grant to provide financial assistance to Massachusetts families in crisis through a technology-enabled platform that connects donors with community needs.
• Food Research & Action Center: Awarded a $600,000 grant to strengthen state-level implementation of SNAP Employment and Training programs.
• National Health Foundation (Los Angeles): Awarded a $600,000 grant to engage youth with lived experience of food insecurity in researching, designing, and advocating for systemic, community-informed solutions.
• FareStart (Seattle): Awarded a $290,000 grant to launch an externship program in partnership with Safeway and Albertsons to provide job training and inclusive workplace support for individuals working to overcome poverty.
• 4MyCiTy (Maryland): Awarded a $193,500 grant to support the expansion of food access through a mobile app that enables the delivery of rescued food and generates income opportunities for individuals experiencing food insecurity.