Five good things that happened in trucking this week – Nov. 13

As the holidays get closer, people everywhere are preparing for an unfamiliar holiday season because of COVID-19. People are getting their Thanksgiving ingredients weeks ahead of the holiday, worried that supplies might be low as it gets nearer. With millions still unemployed due to pandemic, holiday shopping is becoming even more difficult. The trucking industry – as always – is doing what it can to lend a hand this year. Here are five good things that happened in trucking this week.

First Responders Children’s Foundation’s Toy Express delivered toys with the help of TQL Logistics

The First Responders Children’s Foundation has launched its Toy Express for the holiday season.

The foundation, based in New York, N.Y., provides financial support to both children who have lost a parent in the line of duty as well as families enduring significant financial hardship due to tragic circumstances. This year, they are asking for the communities help to allow first responders to deliver toys and essential masks to children of first responders and children in underserved and vulnerable first responder communities.

The foundation has set a goal to deliver 150,000 toys and masks to children across the country. Last week, the foundation made their first delivery – 10 pallets of toys were sent to first responders and hospitals from Dallas/Fort Worth to San Antonio, with the help of TQL Logistics.

Click here to find out how you can send toys to children in need this holiday season.

Feeding Westchester helped families prepare for Thanksgiving dinner

On Nov. 4, Feeding Westchester, based in Westchester County, N.Y. held a Stuff-a-Bus drive that raised more than 9,000 pounds of food – more than 7,500 meals for families in need of a little help this Thanksgiving – with the help of Westchester County’s SMART Commute Program and Stop and Shop grocery stores.

On Nov. 11, Feeding Westchester held a turkey drive to collect frozen turkeys as Thanksgiving gets closer. In a tweet on Nov. 12, the food bank reported that the “Turkey Express” collected 1,400 turkeys.

“Turkey for us is for Thanksgiving, but for the people we serve, it means necessary meals for the week,” said Peter Pozo, manager of Feeding Westchester’s mobile food pantry.

Click here to find out how you can help families this Thanksgiving.

Panther Premium Logistics drivers travel cross-country to raise money for the Toys for Tots Foundation

Ed Wadel and David Kessler from Panther Premium Logistics embarked on a week-long cross-county journey to raise money through expedited shipments for Toys For Tots – a program built to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute them to less fortunate children at the holidays.

On Nov. 9, Wadel and Kessler had their first delivery, traveling from Ohio to South Carolina, hauling automotive parts to keep a plant running.

On Nov. 10, the duo successfully dropped off another load in South Carolina and headed to Tennessee to deliver custom woodwork for a construction project short on material. The following day brought the to New York for a pickup and as of Nov. 12 are headed back to Tennessee to deliver an essential automotive load.

Wadel and Kessler will finish up their journey at the end of this week. Stay tuned to find out how much they raised in support of Toys for Tots.

PITT OHIO launched recycling drive to raise money for Make-A-Wish foundation

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia is hosting an aluminum can drive through Nov. 14 in honor of America Recycles Day on Nov. 15.

PITT OHIO has partnered with Make-A-Wish Foundation to do a big haul throughout the local region to collect cans. Gottlieb Inc. Aluminum Recycling will be buying the collected cans to raise money for children with critical illnesses.

The drop-off locations for the cans can be found at:

The Waterfront (In the parking lot next to the Hampton Inn and across from AMC Theater) 149 West Bridge St, Homestead, PA 15120
Bethel Park Community Center (Located in parking lot) 5151 Park Avenue, Bethel Park, PA 15102
Northland Heights Senior Living (Located behind Kohl’s) 4859 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Moon Township Municipal Building (Located in parking lot) 1000 Beaver Grade Road, Moon Twp, PA 15108

“The drop-off event will start at noon and ends at 2 p.m.,” stated Make-A-Wish. “Please wear a mask when dropping off cans and practice social distancing.”

Stand Against Trafficking raised $5,300 to fighting human trafficking with Virtual Climb event

On Nov. 10, Standing Against Trafficking raised $5,300 from a Virtual Climb 2020 event with the help of Bear Valley Church in Lakewood, Colo. The funds were donated to Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), an organization that raises awareness about human trafficking and how the trucking and business industries can make a difference.

“Thank you to all who participated,” said TAT in a tweet on Nov. 10. “And thank you to Standing Against Trafficking for their unwavering commitment to fighting human trafficking.”