Whether it's hauling help to natural disasters, aiding in cleaning up the world's water supply, or keeping the memories of servicemen and women alive, the trucking industry will offer a hand in this week's Five Good Things in trucking.
Please pass along good news for our weekly Five Good Things blog by email or through our LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter accounts.
Ford partners with Team Rubicon for disaster relief
“The reality is weather-related disasters in the U.S. are becoming more frequent and more severe,” said Bill Ford, the company’s executive chair. “That is why we are significantly expanding our relationship with Team Rubicon, donating a fleet of vehicles and deploying volunteers where they are needed most.”
Ford has invested in disaster relief efforts since 1999 when a catastrophic earthquake struck Turkey, and Ford mobilized vehicles, volunteers, and other aid in the region. Over the last few years, the Ford Fund has donated $7 million to disaster relief efforts globally, including $1.5 million in previous investments to Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Founded following the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the organization has grown to more than 160,000 volunteers across the U.S. and has launched over 1,100 operations domestically and internationally. By pairing the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders, medical professionals, and technology solutions, Team Rubicon aims to provide the greatest service and impact possible.
Ford’s vehicle donation includes 10 Ford F-150 XL PowerBoost Hybrid trucks, three Ford F-150 Lightning Pro trucks, and two Ford Super Duty F-350 XL trucks, all equipped with Pro Power Onboard that turns the pickups into mobile generators to provide power in communities without electricity. The company also donated two Ford Bronco four-door SUVs equipped with a Sasquatch off-road package and five years of Ford Pro Fleet Management software with maintenance and warranty coverage.
This investment is provided by funds from Project Apollo, Ford’s initiative to produce and distribute personal protective equipment and healthcare equipment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Citgo Lemont Refinery raises nearly $700,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Association
Citgo Lemont Refinery held its 27th annual Driving for a Cure Golf Outing with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont, Illinois, on June 27. The company announced on July 13 that it had raised $696,000 in support of the MDA.
The Driving for a Cure Golf Outing had 85 companies in attendance with a total of 296 golfers on three courses at Cog Hill. Since its inception, the annual Driving for a Cure Golf Outing alone has raised more than $8.3 million for MDA.
Funds raised through the partnership events between Citgo and MDA contribute to medical research. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of the first-ever genetic treatment for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Citgo and MDA have partnered for 37 years. With this year's Citgo and MDA Shamrock Bowl and Driving for a Cure events combined, nearly $830,000 has been raised. All funds raised will continue to be used to accelerate research, advance care, and advocate for the neuromuscular community.
Cummins Water Works celebrates two years of making an impact
About 785 million people lack access to basic drinking water—almost 10% of the global population. Additionally, 4.2 billion people do not have safely managed sanitation services, with one in four people lacking access to a toilet. In 2022, Cummins reached 5.9 billion gallons of Annual Water Benefits, and CWW has expanded its reach to include 11 countries, including Brazil, Chile, China, Giana, India, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
CWW has worked on multiple projects over the past two years, including oyster reef restoration helping filter water in Louisiana’s gulf region to improving water quality by reintroducing kidney shell mussels in the Midwest U.S. creating low-cost loan programs in India enabling families to install tap and toilet facilities in their homes.
“Cummins employees have been committed to sustainable water projects for many years,” says Scott Saum, program manager for Cummins Water Works. “However, the establishment of CWW has brought about partnerships with leading water experts like Water.org, The Nature Conservancy, and many others that provide greater opportunity to collaborate, invest and engage in large-scale, high-impact water projects around the world.”
Howes introduces latest hall of fame inductee: Cherry Pie
"There's just something so rewarding that comes from being able to bring these epic giants back to life," said Kate Whiting, owner, and operator of Cherry Pie. "I know in my case, once I laid eyes on Cherry Pie, I could see her potential, her hidden charm. Over time, lots of time, and with the help of many other special people, I was able to get her back in action."
Originally owned by Mike Orton, who purchased the then brand-new Kenworth W925 in 1973, the truck worked for 30 years before its retirement. It spent the next eight years parked on the grass before Whiting found it. Along with the help of friends and others inside the restoration community, she worked to get the truck where it is today.
After showing it off for over two years, earning accolades and awards from shows across the country, including recent recognition from Kenworth's 100-year celebration, Whiting has plans to put the truck back to real work.
"Cherry Pie will be heading back into service hauling livestock for me at my company KW Pony Express. We know she's in great shape, and her power has never been stronger!"
Halvor Lines hauls 'The Wall That Heals' Vietnam memorial
The Wall has traveled to nearly 700 communities since its creation. In 2021, for example, The Wall was on the road for more than 13,000 miles and visited 26 communities from coast to coast. It was escorted by over 3,000 vehicles in those communities and was visited by over 200,000 people, including over 12,000 students to learn about its history.
According to the VVMF website, The Wall That Heals "allows the souls enshrined on the Memorial to exist once more among family and friends in the peace and comfort of familiar surroundings. The traveling exhibit provides thousands of veterans who have been unable to cope with the prospect of facing The Wall to find the strength and courage to do so within their own communities, thus allowing the healing process to begin."
