Five Good Things: Community impact grows as trucking teams volunteer and fund local projects
Freightliner donates Fifth Generation Cascadias to Be Pro, Be Proud
Freightliner, a brand of Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) and a manufacturer of Class 6-8 trucks, recently donated three Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadias to Be Pro, Be Proud, a workforce development initiative led by the Associated Industries of Arkansas dedicated to building interest in careers in transportation, manufacturing, construction, and utility. The donations were announced in Nashville, Tennessee, at the annual meeting of the American Trucking Association’s Technology and Maintenance Council.
“We’re honored to further support Be Pro, Be Proud’s mission to help pave a pathway of professional development for the nation’s skilled trades,” said Greg Treinen, VP of on-highway market development at DTNA. “This valuable work is helping to create a pipeline of talent for a variety of industries while providing young people career opportunities in not only Arkansas, but also across the South and the U.S.”
Freightliner and its dealer partner, Doggett Freightliner, have a history of supporting Be Pro, Be Proud, which first began in 2015 with the low-cost lease of a Freightliner M2 Sport Chassis to transport their first 40-ft. training trailer. In 2019, Freightliner and Doggett expanded their support with matching cash donations to enable Be Pro, Be Proud to acquire a Fourth Generation Cascadia capable of moving a then-new 53-ft. training trailer with two slides that expanded to provide more than 1000 sq. ft. of training space. In 2026, the organization will receive three all-new Cascadias to haul additional mobile workshops.
“We are excited to have these Freightliner Cascadia tractors added to our fleet,” Kenneth Calhoun of Altec Industries, chairman of the board of directors for Be Pro, Be Proud, told FleetOwner. “On board the mobile workshop, we have simulations for both the driver and the technician, so having these units showcasing all of the latest technology in safety systems and business intelligence tools gives so much more opportunity to highlight what our industry is about. The simulations are great, but this takes the student experience to another level. We are so grateful for the amazing support we have had from the beginning from Daimler Truck North America.”
CarriersEdge reveals 2026 Best Fleets to Drive For overall winners
CarriersEdge, a provider of online driver training for the trucking industry, recently revealed the 2026 Best Fleets to Drive For overall winners at the Best Fleets to Drive For Education & Awards Conference held at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in North Carolina. The Best Fleets to Drive For program, now in its 18th year, is an annual survey and contest that identifies the for-hire carriers providing the best workplace experiences for their company drivers and independent contractors.
CarriersEdge presented the Best Overall Fleet in the small carrier category to Crawford Trucking of Des Moines, Iowa. This is the first time the company has won a Best Overall Fleet award, and its third year making the Top 20.
The Best Overall Fleet in the large carrier category was presented to Fortigo Freight Services of Etobicoke, Ontario. This is the company’s seventh consecutive year in the Top 20 and its first year winning a Best Overall Fleet award. This makes the fleet eligible to enter the Hall of Fame if it qualifies in 2027.
“Our winning fleets this year exemplified the hard work and commitment needed to find a way to make a difference for drivers in a continuing difficult market,” said Jane Jazrawy, CarriersEdge CEO. “While all of our Top 20 winners are leaders in the industry, these two fleets stand out with great programs and exceptional safety and retention scores.”
CarriersEdge also presented The Stratosphere Award, which recognizes the top-scoring fleet in the Best Fleets Hall of Fame. This year’s award went to FTC Transportation of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, fleets must be named as a Best Fleet for 10 consecutive years, or seven years with at least one overall winner award. Fleets in the Hall of Fame must requalify each year to retain the distinction.
To be considered for the Best Fleets program, for-hire carriers operating 10 or more tractor-trailers must be nominated by a company driver or independent contractor working with them. Nominated fleets are then evaluated in areas such as driver compensation, pension and benefits, professional development, driver and community support, and safety record.
The highest-scoring fleets are identified as the Top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For and then grouped according to size. The highest-scoring fleet in each size category is named an overall winner.
The Best Fleets to Drive For contest accepts nominations from Labor Day to Halloween each year and reveals its Top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For winners in late January or early February. The highest-scoring fleet in each size category and the top-scoring Hall of Fame member are named overall winners during the Best Fleets to Drive For Education & Awards Conference.
Republic Services Charitable Foundation supports sustainable communities through 2026 National Neighborhood Promise grants
The Republic Services Charitable Foundation and Republic Services recently unveiled the recipients of the foundation's 2026 National Neighborhood Promise grants. Fourteen nonprofit organizations will receive funding to support community revitalization and neighborhood improvement projects that foster stronger, more sustainable communities.
The Republic Services Charitable Foundation's National Neighborhood Promise program supports nonprofit organizations in communities where Republic Services customers and employees live and work. To date, the program has benefitted more than 14 million people across North America.
In addition to monetary donations, local Republic Services' teams will dedicate a day of service at each grant location, working alongside nonprofit partners to strengthen programs and spaces that directly benefit the community.
"At Republic Services, we support communities in ways that make a lasting positive impact for our neighbors," said Elena Goodhall, director of community investment for Republic Services. "Our nonprofit partners are leading positive change in our neighborhoods, and we aim to help foster stronger, more resilient communities."
This year's National Neighborhood Promise grants, totaling $2.9 million, are expected to impact approximately 1.7 million people throughout the U.S. Each grant supports projects that address community needs, such as green spaces, playgrounds, community gardens, workforce development, and vulnerable population resources.
You can view the full list of the 2026 Republic Services Charitable Foundation National Neighborhood Promise grant recipients here.
Averitt associates contribute to communities through service initiatives
Averitt associates dedicated 29,555 hours of community service in 2025 through the company’s annual Team Up Community Challenge initiative. Participation from 109 teams supported 275 organizations across Averitt’s network, reflecting associates’ continued investment in the communities where they live and work.
The Team Up Community Challenge initiative encourages associates to volunteer with nonprofit organizations in their local areas. Each recorded volunteer hour also results in a matching company contribution to Averitt Charities.
“Our associates continue to set the standard when it comes to serving their communities,” said Barry Blakely, president and COO. “Through ‘Team Up,’ they are not only volunteering their time but also helping generate additional support for others through Averitt Charities. That connection between service and giving makes a meaningful difference.”
This year’s results also coincide with the 40th anniversary of Averitt Charities. Since 1986, the company and associates have contributed over $18 million to various causes, with the majority of funds directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital through Averitt Cares for Kids.
Hyundai expands commitment to health, nutrition, sustainability in Coastal Georgia
Hyundai recently renewed support for three leading nonprofit organizations serving the Savannah region: Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire, Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, and Ducks Unlimited. Through its Hyundai Hope initiative, the company continues to back programs that advance community health, strengthen food security, and protect coastal Georgia's natural environment.
"Hyundai is proud to continue investing in the coastal Georgia community," said Drew Ferguson, SVP of government affairs for Hyundai Motor Group and a Georgia native. "Progress for Humanity begins with showing up for the communities that power our success. With HMGMA operating nearby, we recognize a shared responsibility to be a long-term partner in this region, supporting organizations that strengthen health and well-being, protect natural resources, and build resilience for generations to come."
Since 2023, Hyundai has contributed $45,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire, which provides a supportive, home-like environment for children receiving medical treatment and their families. The organization's free programs offer lodging, whole‑person care, and emotional support that keep families close, helping children heal more comfortably and more quickly.
Hyundai has donated $60,000 to Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia since 2022. The organization serves as the primary hunger‑relief network for the region, distributing food through partner agencies and operating programs that serve children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Hyundai and HMGMA employees also volunteered at the food bank to help with the Brown Bag for the Elderly program, which provides grocery assistance to seniors aged 60 and older who are vulnerable to hunger. More than 300 bags were packed with groceries like hot cocoa, coffee, tea, and sugar packets to help seniors enjoy warm beverages at home.
Since 2024, Hyundai has supported Ducks Unlimited with $40,000 in funding. The organization is the world's largest nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring wetlands—critical ecosystems that support waterfowl, enhance water quality, and strengthen climate resilience. Hyundai's support helps advance conservation projects that safeguard habitats across coastal Georgia.
About the Author
Jenna Hume
Digital Editor
Digital Content Specialist Jenna Hume joined FleetOwner in November 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.