Opies Transport Inc started its annual autumn fund-raising activities on Labor Day with participation in the Jerry Lewis Telethon. The Eldon MO-based carrier has participated in the telethon for more than 17 years. Kenny Albert, vice-president of sales, presented the charity a $1,500 check on behalf of Opies employees.
Next came the MS 150 Bike Tour, held September 11-12, with Opies transporting drinking water to some 1,400 cyclists for the annual fund-raising tour. Opies has been a corporate sponsor of the MS 150 Bike Tour for the past 17 years and has come to depend on its employees to insure that the event is a major success.
Three tractor-trailer units were fitted with drinking fountains, cleaned and sanitized, and filled with drinking water to be delivered to stops on the tour. Opies' tank trailers were driven by employees to make the water deliveries. Employees and their families who donated their time were: over-the-road drivers John Saffell and his wife Gertrude from Troy MO and Larry Gregory from Jefferson City MO; parts manager Todd Wildhaber from Jefferson City; dispatcher Tim Wickham from Eldon; and safety director Jim Henley from Eldon. Henley has donated his time to this cause for the past 17 years.
The 2004 MS 150 was expected to raise over $600,000 to fight the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis.