The American Trucking Associations announced August 12 that it was making a $100,000 commitment to help Trucking Moves America Forward--the growing industry-wide movement--tell the positive stories of the trucking industry and its essentiality to America’s economy and communities. With ATA’s donation, TMAF stands at $700,000 towards its goal to raise $1 million by the end of the year.
TMAF--launched in March at the Mid-America Trucking Show--is an industry-wide image and internal education initiative informing policy makers, motorists and the public about the benefits of the trucking industry to help build a groundswell of political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry.
“One of our most important jobs is to tell the trucking industry’s story,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “There’s so much to know about the safety, the essentiality, and the sustainability efforts of this industry, and Trucking Moves America Forward has been designed to do just that.
“We have come a long way in almost two years of planning and preparation, and now ATA is proud to announce we’re taking our support to a higher level today announcing a contribution of $100,000 to Trucking Moves America Forward.”
ATA’s contribution brings TMAF closer to its goal of raising $1 million to fund its educational and outreach mission.
“It is not surprising that the industry’s vendors and suppliers are embracing the movement, as well as other industry organizations like National Tank Truck Carriers and the Truck Dealers Association,” said Kevin Burch, president of Jet Express and vice-chairman of ATA. “Associations like OOIDA (Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association), the Truckload Carriers Association and Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association all are spreading the message.”
Mike Card, chairman of the TMAF fundraising committee and president of Combined Transport, said: “As an industry-wide image campaign, we’re happy that such a prominent industry association as American Trucking Associations is now combining its in-kind contributions with financial ones. TMAF has been overwhelmed with the support we’ve received from all corners of the industry and look to continue this momentum this year and beyond.”
For more on the donation, click here to see a video message from ATA President and CEO Bill Graves.
To join the movement, go to www.truckingmovesamerica.com