The Ruan Foundation and Daseke recently joined the American Trucking Associations’ Trucking Cares Foundation Founders Club, a special class of donors comprised of individuals and corporations that have committed to a $100,000 contribution over a 10-year period.
The club also includes Grammer Logistics founder Charles “Shorty” Whittington and J&M Tank Lines, which is led by recent past ATA chairman and J&M CEO Harold Sumerford Jr. Founders Club members receive special recognition across TCF programs for their early and generous commitments to making ATA’s mission a reality.
“Ruan was founded in 1932 by my grandfather to support his family after the untimely passing of his father,” Rachel Ruan McLean of The Ruan Foundation said in a news release. “Our company came into existence to support others; and, since that time, Ruan has been committed to bringing value and support to the communities where we operate. Supporting the Trucking Cares Foundation allows us to continue our tradition of giving back in a coordinated and impactful way.
“We are proud of our nearly 80-year history with the ATA, and are so pleased to recognize our shared humanitarian values by pledging our support to the Trucking Cares Foundation.”
Phil Byrd, TCF chairman, and president and CEO of Bulldog Hiway Express, called TCF members “first-class organizations and leaders” in the industry.
“Their commitment only adds to the impressive list of trucking leaders who have committed to the mission of the Trucking Cares Foundation,” he said. “We are pleased and proud to welcome them to the Founders Club and thank them for their support.”
Membership in the Founders Club closed May 8 on the two-year anniversary of the launch of the Founders Club, ATA said.
With Ruan’s commitment, the 15 members of the TCF Founders Club are:
- ACT-1, the Allied Committee for the Trucking Industry
- Covenant Transport
- Cummins
- Tommy and Dean Hodges
- J&M Tank Lines
- LaunchIt Public Relations
- Greg and Val Owen in memory of Josh Owen
- UPS
- Charles “Shorty” and Ro Whittington
- Yellow Corporation
- Scopelitis Law Firm
- Bridgestone Tires
- Dave and Betsy Manning
- The Ruan Foundation
- Daseke
“With the support of The Ruan Foundation, and all of our Founders Club Members and other contributors, TCF is set up to support countless important causes and relief efforts domestically and abroad,” said John Lynch, TCF president. “By building up the Foundation’s resources, we are able to further our mission of providing coordination and focus to the trucking industry’s works of service, while demonstrating the essentiality and giving spirt of our great industry.”