Some weeks, searching for the good can be a bear, whether you’re just looking for some positivity or running this blog like me. But this week was not one of those weeks, as the industry overdid itself. Read about the latest good acts in this week’s Five Good Things.
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Truck driver finds abandoned child during Hurricane Beryl
A truck driver found a 1-year-old child alive in a ditch off an interstate highway in Louisiana in what investigators think was a case of abandonment around the time tropical storm conditions hit the area, authorities said.
Truck driver Reginald Walton was driving on Interstate 10 when he saw something “to the right, over in the … embankment,” he told CNN affiliate KADN, adding that he assumed it was a doll that someone had tossed out of a vehicle.
“But as I was passing by, I saw it move, and I say, ‘Hey, that looks like a baby,’” Walton, of Texas, told KADN.
Walton was traveling 60-75 mph, and it took him about a quarter of a mile to stop the truck, he said. He called 911, stopped the truck, and ran back, he told KADN.
“Sure enough, there was a little boy sitting down the embankment there. As I approached him, he smiled at me, and then he stood up and started crying and walked toward me,” Walton said.
The boy was taken to a hospital and later released to the state Department of Children and Family Services, Kayla Vincent, a spokesperson for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, told CNN.
Walton told KADN he didn’t feel like he was a hero.
“I just feel it was God’s will for me to be in the right place at the right time,” he told KADN.
Fleet Advantage and its Kids Around the Corner Foundation hosted back-to-school backpack drive
Fleet Advantage recently announced its Kids Around the Corner Foundation hosted a back-to-school backpack drive Wednesday, July 17, in partnership with Henderson Behavioral Health, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing behavioral health services to the South Florida community.
Fleet Advantage assembled 200 backpacks this year, the most since the start of this initiative in 2021. The backpacks are filled with essential school supplies aimed at high school-age children by Fleet Advantage associates who volunteered during their lunch hours. In addition to the backpack drive, Fleet Advantage will also make a monetary donation to Henderson to help them with future initiatives. In addition, KATC will provide a monetary donation to Kids In Distress to support its own back-to-school backpack drive.
“We are extremely grateful to Fleet Advantage for their incredible generosity and support of the kids and young people that Henderson Behavioral Health helps,” said Dr. Steven Ronik, Henderson CEO. “We appreciate Fleet Advantage and know that our kids will be ready to get back to school with these wonderful donations.”
Chevron commits $100,000 to New Mexico wildfire relief and recovery efforts
Chevron recently donated $100,000 to support relief and recovery efforts in response to the South Fork fire and the Salt fire near the village of Ruidoso and the Mescalero Apache Reservation in south-central New Mexico.
“Through our legacy companies, Chevron has been a proud community partner in New Mexico for more than 100 years,” said Darrell Carriger, manager for Chevron's Delaware Basin operations in New Mexico. “Chevron is committed to supporting first responders, tribal and local governments, and nonprofit organizations as they work to contain these fires and address impacts across Lincoln and Otero counties.”
The Greatest Need Impact Fund for Lincoln and Otero Counties, which is held within the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, will receive a $75,000 donation. The Mescalero Apache Tribe will receive a $25,000 donation.
“On behalf of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Chevron for their generous donation. This contribution will directly support our tribe and its members during these challenging times of fires and flooding on the reservation,” said Thora Padilla, president, Mescalero Apache Tribe. “With evacuation shelters set up at the Inn of the Mountain Gods and our local community center and volunteers tirelessly organizing and distributing essential supplies, Chevron's support is invaluable. Chevron’s assistance helps us maintain our resilience and care for our community despite economic impacts and disruptions. Thank you for standing with us and aiding in our relief efforts.”
Additionally, Chevron will match qualifying donations to wildfire relief efforts made by employees and retirees, as well as provide financial contributions to nonprofit organizations where employees volunteer.
Bridgestone Retail Operations donates $55,000 to Wounded Warrior Project
Bridgestone Retail Operations, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, recently donated $55,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project, concluding a monthlong nationwide campaign at the company’s 2,200 stores where BSRO made a financial gift for every set of Firestone tires sold.
“Providing our nation’s veterans with the resources they need for reintegration into civilian life is a longstanding commitment for our business,” said Marko Ibrahim, president of Bridgestone Retail Operations. “It is a privilege to support the important work of Wounded Warrior Project as they continue to change and save the lives of injured veterans and their families each and every day.”
As part of the campaign, BSRO and WWP hosted an injured veteran and their guest at the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 in Indianapolis during Memorial Day weekend. They received a VIP experience with behind-the-scenes access to one of racing’s biggest stages and attended a special ceremonial dinner before the race.
“The support we receive from Bridgestone Retail Operations helps Wounded Warrior Project honor and empower warriors in their communities,” said Brea Kratzert Todd, VP of business development at WWP. “Thanks to the generosity of the Bridgestone team and their customers, warriors and their families never pay a penny for our programs and services.”
CVSA awards $5,000 college scholarships to two students
High school graduates Kinsley Barnes and Smriti Seshadri will each receive $5,000 toward their college education as the recipients of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s college scholarship awards.
College scholarship recipient Kinsley Barnes is the daughter of Derrick Barnes, who works for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. She will attend Western Carolina University and plans to major in nursing/emergency medicine.
“I aspire to help people,” Barnes said. “Growing up, I watched my mom and dad—both considered essential workers—help people in their own ways. My dad protected people under the law, and my mom cared for people through medical practice. Working with my mom at the family practice in Asheville helped me realize I was interested in the medical field.”
Barnes received straight A’s throughout high school and was chosen for the Presidential Scholars Award Program. She was class president in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades and was elected Student Government Association student body president her senior year. Barnes was also a part of the Key Club, a student-led organization that encourages leadership through serving others.
Barnes has more than 300 hours in volunteer service, including Habitat for Humanity, Christmas food drives with Bounty of Bethlehem and the Salvation Army, Henderson County Sheriff's Office Star Camp counselor, Hendersonville Apple Festival volunteer, and more.
Barnes also has a part-time job at Publix supermarket in Hendersonville. “Hendersonville is home to a lot of elderly,” Barnes said. “At Publix, I get the opportunity to help them to their cars and talk with them. A lot of the older folks don't have anyone to talk to, so they really look forward to that one shopping day when they leave the house to get groceries. It is very enlightening to hear the wisdom they pass on, even in the very short time it takes to get from the store to their car. My job is one of the best places to meet new people and hear cool stories.”
College scholarship recipient Smriti Seshadri is the daughter of Seshadri Puducode Venkateswaran with Vulcan Materials Company, a Class III Associate Member of the Alliance. She will attend the University of Florida and plans to major in microbiology and cell science.
“I want to be a doctor, not only because I will be able to spend my life helping others but also because science never fails to amaze me,” Seshadri said. “I would like to specialize in ophthalmology. The reason I am inclined toward this path is personal, as I watched my grandmother struggle with glaucoma. I have glasses myself, and I was fascinated with the work my doctors did. I have also read a plethora of current research in this field and have found multiple areas within this specialization that are pioneering ventures into eye care that I would love to be a part of someday.”
Seshadri volunteers at her local religious center and as a patient and family guide at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando where she greets families at the entrance, engages patients in activities pre- and post-appointment, and directs families to appointments within the facility.
Seshadri also performs Carnatic classical music and is the youth president of JaxRaaga, a nonprofit promoting South Indian classical music. In addition, she is a runner and volunteered at DONNA Marathon Weekend, where she helped the event run smoothly and was able to cheer on the runners.
Seshadri was part of four honors societies at her school and her school’s National Honor Society chapter. She competed in the regional Science Olympiad competition and earned the AP Scholar with Distinction Award in her sophomore and junior years.
“Smriti is an intelligent, driven student who will bring change to her community,” added Dayna Duncan, Stanton College Preparatory School’s AP and IB psychology teacher. “I believe there will be no limit to her growth and achievements in college and beyond.”
CVSA will begin accepting next year’s scholarship applications in February 2025.
