Five Good Things: Trucking and industry partners drive change, safety, and support for communities

Drivers can give back at 6,500 Shell stations nationwide

Celebrating its fifth year, Shell recently announced the return of The Giving Pump, an initiative driving positive change by turning ordinary fill-ups into donations for local charities across the nation. Now through October 31, consumers are encouraged to fill up at designated purple Giving Pumps at participating Shell stations.

The Giving Pump will support a range of causes, including children’s hospitals, schools, sports, food pantries, youth leadership programs, and more. Starting at 2,900 locations in 2021, the number of Shell stations participating in this two-month initiative has grown to nearly 6,500 across the U.S.

“The Giving Pump goes to show how small choices—like where you fuel up—can add up to meaningful change,” Barbara Stoyko, SVP, mobility and convenience Americas at Shell, said. “The Giving Pump works so well because of our generous retailers. They are the ones selecting the charities benefited by our purple pumps because they know the causes that matter most to the customers in their communities. It’s really a special time of year for Shell, and it makes me so grateful that we can collaborate with them and our customers to create real, local impacts.” 

This year, The Giving Pump is supporting 400 local and national charities across the U.S., including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, The Macoupin Center for the Developmentally Disabled, The Purvis Youth Foundation, and more. The Giving Pumps were used millions of times during the two-month campaign in 2024. 

Truck driver named TCA Highway Angel for extinguishing vehicle fire

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named truck driver Dee Leatherwood, from Burnet, Texas, a TCA Highway Angel for flagging down a car that was on fire and extinguishing the fire. Leatherwood drives for Melton Truck Lines out of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

On July 10, Leatherwood was driving on an Interstate just west of Atlanta, Georgia, when he noticed smoke and sparks coming from underneath a Ford pickup truck ahead of him.

“All of a sudden, it started smoking; he slammed on his brakes and got on the shoulder,” Leatherwood said. “As I’m easing by, I could see fire dripping down plastic that had caught fire.”

As Leatherwood got closer, he noticed a car seat in the back of the vehicle—heightening his sense of urgency; he pulled over to help. Leatherwood grabbed his fire extinguisher and began spraying the underside of the vehicle to prevent the fire from spreading.

“I looked at that car seat and luckily there wasn’t a baby in it,” said the retired rancher and grandfather who has been driving a truck for two years. “I kept the fire as low as I could until the fire department arrived.”

Fortunately, there were no injuries to the driver, and a nearby police officer soon arrived to provide further assistance. Thanks to Leatherwood’s calm response, a potentially dangerous situation was brought under control without harm.

“I wasn’t worried about anything else other than if there was a little one inside that pickup truck,” he said. “I would hope that anyone would do that in that situation, whether they had a fire extinguisher or not.”

Hyundai Hope on Wheels donates $100,000 to Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation 

Hyundai Canada, through its charitable foundation Hyundai Hope on Wheels, presented the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation with a $100,000 donation to support children and youth receiving cancer care at the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary.

"We are so inspired by Hyundai Hope on Wheels' commitment to support childhood cancer care across the country and truly grateful for this generous gift that will make a huge difference for kids and their families facing a cancer diagnosis at the Alberta Children's Hospital," said Saifa Koonar, president and CEO, Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation.

To mark the donation, Hyundai Hope on Wheels hosted a handprint ceremony, a tradition of the foundation. During the event, children affected by cancer were invited to place their painted handprints on a white Hyundai vehicle, alongside families, care teams, and community members. Each handprint serves as a symbol of courage, unity, and the ongoing fight to end childhood cancer.

"We are proud to be here today presenting this donation to the amazing hospital and foundation team in Calgary," said Kirk Merrett, Hyundai Canada's director of HR and administration, and the executive who administers Hyundai Hope on Wheels. "Every contribution makes a difference in children's lives and futures, and we are grateful to continue bringing handprint ceremonies and donations to communities across Canada."

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Valvoline Global Operations, Blood Cancer United, and Hendrick Motorsports team up to race for a world without blood cancer

Valvoline Global, Hendrick Motorsports, and Blood Cancer United are teaming up to bring awareness to pediatric blood cancer on one of racing's biggest stages. In a collaboration for Blood Cancer Awareness Month, the partners have unveiled a paint scheme on NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Champion William Byron's No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet ahead of its debut at the Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

"Together, we are truly unstoppable in our mission to create a brighter future for children with blood cancer," E. Anders Kolb, MD, president and CEO at Blood Cancer United, said. "With the support of our partner, Valvoline Global, and in collaboration with Hendrick Motorsports, we are able to share our message of hope with millions of fans around the world and drive forward our shared goal of a better tomorrow."

Three of NASCAR's biggest names, Byron, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, and Vice Chairman Jeff Gordon, joined patients and their families at the Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the unveiling of the car design and celebrated the local children responsible for the artwork. Adorned with unicorns, confetti, and other imaginative designs created by four pediatric blood cancer survivors when asked to symbolize their happiness, this NASCAR paint scheme serves as a powerful symbol of courage and resilience as part of Blood Cancer United's advancement of its Dare to Dream Project, a $175 million initiative to transform treatment and care for children with blood cancer.

"At Valvoline Global, we are driven by our enduring purpose to inspire and enable what—and who—moves the world forward," Jamal Muashsher, president and CEO at Valvoline Global, said. "Our work with Blood Cancer United is a testament to this commitment, and we are honored to continue supporting this worthy cause to create a better tomorrow for these children and their families."

On October 5, the campaign will culminate at the ROVAL 400, where Byron will take the wheel of this symbol of hope. He will be joined at the track by the four pediatric blood cancer survivors who contributed to the No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet's new paint scheme to experience the race firsthand and see their artwork brought to life.

Advantage Truck Group sponsors winning team at Seaside Le Mans charity event

A team sponsored by Advantage Truck Group won first place at the 24th edition of the Seaside Le Mans – The Race for the Cape Cod Community in Mashpee, Massachusetts. The event raised $300,000 for five Cape Cod nonprofit organizations.

Nearly 100 drivers got behind the wheel of Formula One-style race karts to compete on a quarter-mile outdoor track throughout Mashpee Commons. The race was won by a team of drivers from the Mashpee Police and Fire Departments in seats donated by Advantage Truck Group and Robert B. Our.

Close to $10 million has been collected and distributed in the two decades since the race’s inception. Since 2015, Advantage Truck Group has participated in the charitable event and sponsored a team of first responders.