Trucking scored a touchdown this past week when a major OEM hit the road for physical fitness and literacy, and drivers help—and compete with—each other, in this week's blog.
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Bridgestone, NFL players team up at Tight End University
At the event, students from four Nashville-area organizations and schools were invited to observe and engage with some of the NFL's top tight ends, including TEU founders George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers), Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs), and Greg Olsen, as they honed their craft on the field at Vanderbilt University. Afterward, students attended an interactive, off-site program connecting players, students, and Bridgestone teammates to talk about learning and the importance of reading.
See also: Five Good Things: Rockin' and rollin' down the road
"One of the most important ways young people can shape strong paths—whether they become football players or automotive technicians—is to read. It's a skill that we take for granted far too often," said Marko Ibrahim, president of Bridgestone retail operations. "We are thrilled to join forces once again with our friends at Tight End University to bring greater awareness to the power of literacy and help bridge learning gaps for youth here in Nashville and beyond."
"One of the most rewarding parts of TEU is giving back to the Nashville community, a place I also call home," said Kittle. "We're excited to be working with Bridgestone for the third year in a row to help young people build solid foundations, and we hope this year's focus on literacy will make a lasting, positive impact."
Transport Enterprise Leasing donates to Chattanooga Rescue Mission
"An estimated 600 people are homeless in the greater Chattanooga area on any given day, and the need is great," said Donald Baer, the mission's director of administration and chaplaincy services. "We are thankful for TEL's gift to help fund our year-round Temporary Emergency Overnight Shelter (TEOS), and Steps of Faith Discipleship Program for those overcoming drug and alcohol addictions. We are grateful that TEL is all about community. They truly understand what it means to help those in need." He added that the charity served about 34,000 meals and supplied 25,000 beds for guests in 202d.
"The Chattanooga Rescue Mission is improving our community and the lives of homeless residents in so many ways, and our employees saw the need and asked if we could support them," said Lori Hyde, director of human resources for TEL. "When meeting with mission staff recently, we learned more about the organization's work. They are putting in the hard work every day and night to provide free temporary beds and food for the homeless on a walk-in basis. We are so glad to have an opportunity to help provide funding for such a worthy cause."
Kenworth donates T680 Signature Edition in preparation for Transition Trucking program
Under the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence recognition program, Kenworth will provide the top award for the eighth consecutive year. In recognition of Kenworth's 100th anniversary, this year's award is a T680 Signature Edition Anniversary truck.
The T680 Signature Edition Diamond VIT features a black onyx grille and side air intake, and prominent Kenworth 100 badges on the sleeper. The truck is painted in Century Platinum Metallic signature paint and features specially designed anniversary wheels in black. It has black interior with legacy red stitching accents throughout the cab and sleeper. The package also includes Kenworth 100 branded GT703 seats with red accents, a special brushed platinum dash and door trim, and Kenworth 100 logo stitched into the sleeper back wall.
"Every year we see a life changed because of this contest, and I don't think it can get any better, but each year it does," said Brad Bentley, Fastport president. "In honor of Kenworth's 100th anniversary this year, our goal is to receive 100 nominations, and we are excited to award this truck to a deserving driver who has made the successful transition to the trucking industry following military service."
Nominations are open with a deadline of July 31. The top 10 semi-finalists will be announced Sept. 1. Public voting of the three finalists will begin Oct. 27. On Dec. 15, finalists will gather at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where the final award announcement will be made, and the winner will drive home in the Kenworth T680 Signature Edition.
Arkansas Trucking Championship
See also: Trucking's story is America's story, so tell it, says ATA's Spear
"I think the drivers and technicians are often overlooked, and it's just one of those professions that we assume that the trucks are going to roll and run effectively and all of it's going to be maintained properly," Shannon Newton, Arkansas Trucking Association president, told local Fox affiliate KNWA. So just to take a minute to pause and recognize that what they do does require a significant amount of skill and celebrate them and their attention and devotion to safety is important," said Newton.
Loren Hatfield of ABF Freight took home the title of Grand Champion.
Man saves fellow driver from tank truck crash
One morning Edwards was driving northbound on I-65 in Cullman, Alabama, when he witnessed a tanker truck wreck in front of him.
"I saw dirt go flying up and I knew it was a tanker," Edwards said. "First thing I thought was, 'Oh, this thing is going to explode.'"
He pulled over to assist and ran to the truck, which was leaking fuel, increasing his concerns. Another passerby also stopped and handed Edwards a crowbar, which he used to break out the back glass of the tractor and extricate the crash victim.
"We carried him up to the side of the road, and an ambulance was there within minutes," Edwards said. "He was messed up bad—his arm was all messed up."
The emergency rescue vehicles took the injured trucker away. At this point, Edwards, a trucker for the past eight years, was also covered in blood, with glass in his hands. But he said he never hesitated to help the injured trucker.
"When you see something like that,t and you can help, you should be able to stop," Edwards, an Air Force veteran, said.
