St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund rides into Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge to support truck drivers in need

The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF) recently revealed that Oklahoma truck driver, Navy veteran, lifelong motorcyclist, and third-generation truck driver Allen Darling will represent the organization in the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge.

With more than 50 years behind the wheel, Darling has selected SCF as the beneficiary of his participation in one of the nation's most demanding motorcycle endurance events. Beginning August 2, he will ride thousands of miles in support of SCF's mission to help truck drivers focus on recovery vs. financial hardship when illness or injury takes them off the road.

The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge pushes riders to their physical and mental limits as they navigate thousands of miles on secondary roads using only GPS coordinates, traveling approximately 500 miles each day while camping alongside their motorcycles. Participants must complete every required checkpoint during the 12- to 14-day journey, making it one of the most grueling endurance motorcycle events in the U.S. 

For Darling, the challenge is deeply personal. After spending more than five decades in trucking, he's witnessed firsthand the financial hardship that can follow when a driver is forced off the road because of an illness or injury.

"Being a truck driver myself for more than 50 years, I've seen the struggles that drivers and their families face when an illness or injury suddenly takes away their ability to earn a living," Darling said. "I'm honored to ride the Hoka Hey Challenge in support of the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund because their mission gives drivers something invaluable during the hardest moments of their lives—the ability to focus on healing instead of worrying about how they'll pay the bills." 

Paper Transport supports TAT with the launch of the ‘Miles That Matter’ campaign

Paper Transport (PTI) is launching a new campaign based on miles driven transporting Green Bay Packers away game equipment. Miles That Matter is a new campaign benefiting TAT throughout the 2026 Packers season.

For every mile PTI transports Packers’ equipment to an away game, the company will donate 50 cents to TAT, up to a total contribution of $5,000. The campaign will turn the miles PTI already drives in support of the team into an opportunity to fund TAT’s work, increase awareness of human trafficking, and highlight the transportation industry’s role in recognizing and reporting suspected human trafficking.

“There is an amazing opportunity when our partners can leverage their innovative ideas and network leadership to help expand our reach. We are grateful to PTI for bringing this idea to us and choosing to help advance the TAT effort through its Miles That Matter campaign,” said Laura Cyrus, senior director of industry training and outreach at TAT. “Yes, the funds generated are crucial to being able to further this life-saving work, but the untold number of ‘eyes’ that will be opened to the fact that companies like PTI—and so many others in transportation—are creating everyday heroes on the frontlines to help combat trafficking is the real win.”

Throughout the 2026 Packers season, PTI will track the miles driven to each away game and share campaign updates following every trip. The updates will also provide information to help Packers fans, transportation professionals, and the public recognize the signs of human trafficking and understand how to report suspected activity. 

“Paper Transport travels nearly one million miles every week, which means our trucks and our people are present in communities across the country every day,” said Tyler Ellison, CEO of Paper Transport. “That reach gives us both an opportunity and a responsibility to make a difference. Through TAT’s training and certification programs, our professional drivers are equipped to recognize suspicious activity and report it appropriately. Miles That Matter builds on that commitment by turning the miles we travel for the Packers into greater awareness and meaningful support for the fight against human trafficking.”

Eleven semi-finalists revealed for the 2026 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award

Kenworth, Fastport, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative recently revealed 11 semi-finalists for the 2026 “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award, marking the program’s 11th year. The award honors the achievements of military veterans who have transitioned into careers in the trucking industry.

This year’s semi-finalists were selected from nominations submitted by carriers, training schools, a private fleet, and individuals across the country, and represent four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

For the 11th consecutive year, Kenworth will provide the grand prize for the winning driver: a T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the Paccar Powertrain featuring the Paccar MX-13 engine, Paccar TX-12 automated transmission, and Paccar DX-40 tandem rear axles.

Of the nominations received, the following semi-finalists will continue in the award program:

• Jeffrey Barber
  • U.S. Army, Sergeant First Class (E-7)
  • Prime Inc.
  • Trained by Prime Inc.
• Brandon Ward
  • U.S. Navy, Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8)
  • Werner Enterprises
  • Trained by Roadmaster Drivers School, Orlando
  • US DOL Registered Apprenticeship
• Mohammad Arzola
  • U.S. Marine Corps, Sergeant Major (E-9)
  • HEB
  • Trained by California Career Schools
• Juan Rosado Lozada
  • U.S. Marine Corps, Lance Corporal (E-3)
  • Roehl Transport, Inc.
  • Trained by Troops Into Transportation, Fort Benning
• Kishawn Forbes
  • U.S. Navy, Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8)
  • Melton Truck Lines
  • Trained by Florida State College at Jacksonville
• Gary W. Williams
  • U.S. Army, Command Sergeant Major (E-9)
  • Stevens Transport
  • Trained by Southern Careers Institute
• Monica Brooks-Buck
  • U.S. Army, Sergeant First Class (E-7)
  • Werner Enterprises
  • Trained by Truck Driver Institute, Saucier
  • US DOL Registered Apprenticeship
• Jenn Wilken
  • U.S. Army, Staff Sergeant (E-6)
  • Prime Inc.
  • Trained by Prime Inc.
• Daryus Jones
  • U.S. Army, Private First Class (E-3)
  • Anheuser-Busch
  • Trained by Tulsa Technology
  • US DOL Registered Apprenticeship
• Daniel Doss
  • U.S. Air Force, Staff Sergeant (E-5)
  • Melton Truck Lines
  • Trained by Troops Into Transportation, Fort Benning
  • US DOL Registered Apprenticeship
• Michael R. Bivens
  • U.S. Marine Corps, Staff Sergeant (E-6)
  • Stevens Transport
  • Trained by Tennessee Truck Driving School
  • US DOL Registered Apprenticeship

“This year’s ‘Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence’ Elite 11 semi-finalists exemplify the dedication, leadership, and commitment to service that military veterans bring to the trucking industry,” said Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing. “Kenworth is honored to celebrate 11 years of partnership with Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative, and we look forward to recognizing this exceptional class of semi-finalists.”

Semi-finalists will be honored September 22 and 23 with a recognition dinner at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio, followed by a tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant, where finalists will be announced.

Public voting will open November 1 and run through Veterans Day, November 11. The 2026 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award winner will be announced December 14 at the Veteran Ready Summit at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

John Graf named TCA Highway Angel for assisting injured motorist following crash

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently named John Graf, a driver with ABF Freight, a TCA Highway Angel for his quick response after a crash in North Carolina.

On July 15, Graf was traveling near Westwood, North Carolina, when he saw a motorist lose control of the vehicle, leave the roadway, strike a guardrail, and crash head-on into a bridge support.

“It was a pretty brutal hit,” Graf recalled. “The speed limit was about 70 miles an hour there, and they hit it probably pretty close to full impact.”

Graf pulled over and rushed to help. After discovering the driver’s side of the vehicle was pinned against the bridge barrier, he and another passerby climbed an embankment to reach the passenger side. When they found the doors locked, the other motorist retrieved a hammer to break a window while Graf called 911.

The driver was eventually able to climb out through the broken window with assistance from Graf and the other passerby. A third, who identified himself as an EMT or paramedic, also stopped to help the injured woman until emergency responders arrived.

Graf remained at the scene, providing reassurance and assistance until first responders took over. Asked why he chose to stop rather than simply call 911 and continue on his route, Graf said his decision was easy.

“You just want somebody there for you,” he said. “She wasn’t in a good spot because she was tucked up behind the bridge embankment. You don’t know when the next car might have been. You’re just trying to help others as you’d want them to help you in a situation like that.”

Hyundai, Baystate Health Foundation, and Gary Rome Hyundai partner to promote child passenger safety in Massachusetts

Hyundai Motor America, in partnership with Baystate Health Foundation and Gary Rome Hyundai, recently hosted a car seat safety check event focused on helping families better protect their children on the road. The event provided free, hands-on education and inspections conducted by certified child passenger safety technicians (CPSTs). 

As part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, Hyundai donated $25,000 to Baystate Health Foundation to support its Pediatric Trauma Surgery Injury Prevention Car Seat Program. The funding will help provide car and booster seats to families in need.

"At Hyundai, we're committed to being present in the communities we serve and supporting programs that have a real, measurable impact," said Cole Stutz, chief safety officer, Hyundai Motor North America. "Seeing families engaged at the event and working directly with safety technicians reinforces why this partnership matters; every correct installation and every informed caregiver helps protect a child on the road."

During the event, CPSTs guided parents and caregivers through proper car seat installation and use, while also checking each seat for expiration dates, recalls, and correct fit. Families requiring new car seats received replacements on-site to help ensure safe travel for children in the community.