Five good things that happened in trucking this week—Sept. 17
Have you seen good things happening in the trucking industry? Let me know by email or on Twitter with #FiveGoodThings.
Throughout my years covering this industry, I've come to learn that trucking is a community. You can reach out to anyone and it's as if they've been your neighbor for a lifetime, always willing to chip in and lend a hand wherever needed—all with the common goal to help others. Here are five good things that happened in trucking this week.
McLeod Software continues support for Dallas Children’s Hospital
At the 2021 McLeod Software Users Conference, a check for $8,000, plus numerous cans of Play-Doh, coloring books, and crayons, among others, were donated to the local Children's Health in Dallas.
The charity drive was hatched while planning the 2019 McLeod Software Users Conference to develop a lasting relationship while benefiting children. Lori Teders, director of administration at Hoekstra Transportation and TCA’s communications and image committee chair, strives to highlight positivity in the trucking industry.
“It’s so simple to pack something you’re going to leave behind after the conference. The great thing is that we as an industry can make such a positive impact,” Teders said, adding that contributing locally to a cause is just one of the ways to accomplish this goal.
Transfix reveals truck cab renovation winner from "TransFIX My Rig" sweepstakes
Transfix revealed that Debbie Desiderato, a 22-year truck-driving veteran, is the grand prize winner of the "TransFIX My Rig" sweepstakes, part of Transfix's larger celebration around National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2021.
Debbie's cab was renovated by Jason Cameron, star of CBS' "Secret Celebrity Renovation." Cameron revealed the finished product to Debbie this morning giving her a custom living space that fits her unique needs for on-the-road comfort.
"I feel so lucky to be the winner of the 'TransFIX My Rig' sweepstakes," said Debbie Desiderato, a Virginia-based licensed truck driver. "I fell in love with trucking after seeing my big brother on the road, and have been in the industry for the last 22 years. Having my cab renovated to truly fit my needs and wants is going to change my day-to-day life; I'm so excited to have my cab feel like a real, on-the-road home."
Phillips 66 donates $1M to American Red Cross for Ida relief efforts
Phillips 66 will contribute an additional $500,000 to the American Red Cross to assist relief efforts in the states affected by Hurricane Ida and its remnants. The latest donation brings the company’s total contribution to the organization’s Ida relief efforts to $1 million.
“The American Red Cross, our volunteers, and partners are working around the clock to provide help and hope to thousands of people impacted by Hurricane Ida,” Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross, said. “We cannot thank Phillips 66 enough for their generosity, which will enable us to provide shelter, relief supplies, food and comfort to families as they begin to rebuild their lives after this catastrophic storm.”
Rolling Strong links to Rigs without Cigs program
Rolling Strong is providing participants in the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF) Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) with a free six-month membership to the Rolling Strong App, and it is linking its platform to the fund’s Rigs without Cigs program.
The St. Christopher Fund CDC Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) was launched in February 2021. Initial participants who have completed the first six months and are now in the maintenance phase for the next six months will receive a free membership to the Rolling Strong App with wellness coaching to support them in maintaining their progress.
“It is crucial for participants in our CDC Diabetes Prevention Program to have ongoing support during the maintenance phase of the year-long program,” said Julie Dillon, health and wellness manager for SCF. “Our shared passion with Rolling Strong is to see drivers get healthier and feel better. At SCF, we are excited to have Rolling Strong partner with us to assist professional drivers in achieving their health goals.”
New Jersey UPS driver rescues eight people from Ida
UPS driver Nick Dirla brought eight people to safety after they became trapped in the rapidly rising flash flood waters during the Sept. 1 hurricane.
Just four months on the job, the 22-year-old Bridgewater Township, New Jersey resident found himself on westbound Route 22 at the end of his shift when Hurricane Ida was reaching its peak. Stuck near an overpass, Dirla noticed people in distress nearby. Pulling one woman through his truck window, he saw an older couple in their car with water up to their laps. Dirla was able to get them both into his truck for safety.
"At this point, I am taking everyone that I can," Dirla explained, noting he felt like the captain of the brown lifeboat. "This is the only thing that could have been done. Everyone was frantic—they had lost their cars and couldn’t get home, and nobody knew what to do." But once the truck started filling up with water, Dirla realized they couldn’t stay put. The group went through the window in the cab and made their way through water with locked arms across the highway, following an exit ramp off the highway to homes nearby where they might be granted shelter.
After five or six tries, an older couple answered the door and welcomed them in. The couple’s daughter, who lived two streets away, brought the group to her home, which she shares with her boyfriend—another UPS driver.
"What a crazy small world," Dirla said. "I had never met him as we are in different areas in the same building, but that connection alone sparked off the night. They gave us clothes, put our wet clothes in the dryer, gave us food, TV, blankets, and anything we needed. They were totally willing and happy to help."
Looking back at the experience, Dirla initially felt he was "in the wrong place at the wrong time." Now, he feels he was in the "right place at the right time."
"People had died just a 1 mile up the road from where I broke down," he said. "Maybe if I wasn't there, what would have happened to these people?...I hope it just restores a little bit of faith in humanity for some people. What else would I have done? You have two buttons and both of them say bring these people into the truck. It had to be done.”
Read the full story by My Central Jersey here.
Have you seen good things happening in the trucking industry? Let me know by email or on Twitter with #FiveGoodThings.
