Five Good Things: Trucking community rallies with donations, builds, and driver recognition

St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund launches second annual Virtual 5K to support health and wellness for truck drivers

The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF) recently launched its annual Heart & Sole Virtual 5K, an industrywide initiative designed to raise funds and awareness for over-the-road truck drivers facing illness or injury. Open to participants across the country, the second-year event encourages individuals and teams to walk, run, or roll 5 kilometers from any location. The designated window for participation is May 3–9. A $50 donation is required, with all registration funds going directly to over-the-road drivers in need of support.

“Each year, the Virtual 5K is a powerful reminder of how this industry shows up for its own,” Mindy Williams, health and wellness manager for SCF, said. “Whether participants are logging miles on the road, at home, or in their communities, every step taken helps us deliver critical support to drivers and their families during some of life’s most difficult moments.”

Participants can complete the 5K at their own pace during the designated event window, making it accessible for drivers on the road and supporters with busy schedules. Registration includes a commemorative T-shirt, with additional opportunities for fundraising, team participation, and social sharing.

“Professional drivers keep our country moving, yet many face significant challenges when unexpected health issues arise,” Norita Taylor, SCF board president and communications strategist at OOIDA, said. "The Virtual 5K is a meaningful way for the entire trucking community—and those beyond it—to rally together and make a tangible difference.”

The Truckload Carriers Association names Wade Dickinson a TCA Highway Angel 

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently named driver Wade Dickinson with Nu-Way Transportation a Highway Angel for his response following a crash in Clinton, Illinois.

On April 3, Dickinson was traveling along Indiana 10 near Clinton when he witnessed a truck appear through a tree line and begin to overturn. As the out-of-control vehicle came toward him, Dickinson had only seconds to react.

“I’ve got two options—I can’t go left, and I don’t want to put my truck into the ditch,” he said. “So I’ve got to go straight … thankfully, he did not hit me.”

Once clear of danger, Dickinson pulled over and rushed toward the crash scene. Calling 911 as he approached, Dickinson assessed the situation. He found the driver thrown into the sleeper berth, injured and bleeding.

“I saw him way back in the bunk … I didn’t know if the truck was going to catch on fire,” he said. “I just knew I had to get him out.”

Without hesitation, Dickinson climbed into the wreckage and pulled the driver to safety.

The driver had suffered a severe wrist injury and was losing a dangerous amount of blood. Using items he had on hand, Dickinson improvised a tourniquet to stop the bleeding until first responders arrived.

“I grabbed what I could and twisted it until the bleeding stopped,” he said.

As the sole responder, Dickinson remained on scene for several minutes until emergency personnel arrived. Despite being relatively new to professional driving, Dickinson relied on instinct, composure, and a sense of responsibility to act.

“With everything going on in the world, we all bleed the same color,” Dickinson said. “Why not help when I can?”

Carrier marks Habitat for Humanity’s 50th anniversary by helping build homes in Atlanta

Carrier continues to support Habitat for Humanity, participating in the 40th Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project to build 24 new single-family homes and townhomes in southwest Atlanta over five days. 

Carrier employees will volunteer their time alongside counterparts from Mingledorff’s, the largest Carrier distributor in the southeast, and local contractors from the Atlanta area. Carrier employees have participated in Habitat’s signature build every year since 2018. 

“The Carter Work Project is a powerful demonstration of what is possible when a community comes together,” Heidi Gehring, managing director of light commercial at Carrier, said. “Carrier is proud to be part of the community and eager to roll up our sleeves to help provide opportunities and stronger foundations for new homeowners.” 

The build will kick off construction at Langston Park, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity’s newest planned community in the historic Sylvan Hills neighborhood of southwest Atlanta.

Valvoline becomes the first Ronald McDonald House Global corporate partner dedicated solely to funding mental health 

Valvoline is becoming the first Ronald McDonald House Global corporate partner dedicated solely to funding mental health initiatives. 

In year one, Valvoline is providing $25,000 each to 10 chapters, representing a total investment of $250,000 to support psychosocial programming across select Ronald McDonald House Chapters. These funds will help expand services that support families navigating medical challenges. Across the 10 participating chapters, funds will support a range of psychological and behavioral‑health services from age‑appropriate emotional support and sibling programming to crisis‑intervention training, caregiver support, structured counseling, and trauma‑informed care. Participating Chapters include: Minneapolis (Upper Midwest), Central New York, Spokane (Inland Northwest), Kansas City, Cincinnati, Memphis, Lexington (Bluegrass), St. Louis, Boise, and Nashville.

“We are proud to become the first corporate partner of Ronald McDonald House Global focused on funding mental health initiatives,” Lori Flees, Valvoline president and CEO, said. “When a child is facing medical treatment, the whole family feels it, and mental health support can be just as essential as physical care. Through this partnership, we’re helping expand services that strengthen resilience, reduce stress, and support families when they need it most.”

To help kick off the partnership, from May 1-31, Valvoline Instant Oil Change service center teams in select markets will engage customers through a point-of-sale fundraising campaign. The campaign will run across more than 150 retail locations, across the Southeast and Midwest, including Alabama; Greater Chattanooga; Kentuckiana (Louisville); Knoxville; Nashville; the Bluegrass (Lexington); Memphis; St. Louis; Central Illinois (Springfield & Peoria); Mid Missouri (Columbia); and the Ohio Valley (Evansville).

Throughout the partnership, Valvoline Instant Oil Change employees will have opportunities to volunteer with their local Ronald McDonald House Chapter year‑round, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to giving back and making a meaningful impact across their shared communities.

“Ronald McDonald House families are often juggling a complex health care system, financial strain, and the mental toll of having a child who is ill,” Lauren Biedron, chief philanthropy officer, Ronald McDonald House Global, said. “We’re incredibly grateful for Valvoline Inc.’s commitment to enabling psychosocial support services at select Chapters in the U.S., ensuring families receive holistic, wrap-around support during times of uncertainty.”