The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF), in association with corporate sponsors Brenny Transportation, Shell Rotella, Pilot, Echo Global Logistics, and Truckstop.com, is gearing up for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW) with messages of gratitude for the hard-working truckers who keep our country moving.
NTDAW, launched by the American Trucking Associations in 1988, this year runs Sept. 10-16.
Each sponsor donated $5,000 to St. Christopher as part of the campaign, which lasts throughout September and includes a website landing page with statements of support, and pictures and stories of drivers who are the backbone of their sponsor companies.
“I am so proud to be the St. Christopher Fund board president, which gives me one more opportunity to highlight the importance of professional truck drivers,” Joyce Brenny, president of Brenny Transportation and Brenny Specialized, said in a news release. “Professional truck drivers, you are the leaders of our industry. Thank you.”
Over the last 15 years, nearly 4,000 drivers have turned to the St. Christopher relief fund for support when an illness or injury took them off the road.
“We are honored to support truckers through the St. Christopher fund, especially during this recognition week,” said Julie Wright, North American brand manager at Shell Rotella. “This builds on the commitment Shell Rotella made to work with SCF throughout 2023 and beyond.”
SCF said it’s the only non-profit in the industry tangibly supporting drivers when they’re out of work because of injury or illness. SCF also has proven success with its free health and wellness programs, including tobacco cessation, diabetes prevention, vaccine vouchers for flu, pneumonia and shingles, and prostate cancer screenings.
“We are incredibly proud and honored to support our nation’s truck drivers this National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, and every week, alongside the St. Christopher fund, as they extend their helping hand to drivers navigating their toughest moments,” Truckstop CEO Kendra Tucker said. “Thank you to all the hard-working truck drivers for all that you do—you truly are the rockstars of the road.”
St. Christopher’s NTDAW campaign recognizes drivers as essential trucking heroes and shares the names and faces of real drivers delivering the goods we all depend on every day. Drivers will be highlighted on SCF’s TDAW landing page. To nominate a driver, visit truckersfund.org/ntdaw-2023 and share the driver’s story.
“We are so grateful for our sponsors who have come forward to show their appreciation for their drivers during Truck Driver Appreciation Week,” said Shannon Currier, director of philanthropy with St. Christopher. “Support of drivers through the St. Christopher fund provides help and hope when drivers need it most.
“Together, we can make a real difference in drivers’ lives. Because truck drivers are more than their job title. They are real people, with real families.”
The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund was founded in 2008 by Dr. John McElligott, radio host Dave Nemo of the Dave Nemo Show (XM Radio Channel 146), and his business partner, Michael Burns. To date, SCF has provided more than $4.5 million directly to bill holders on behalf of 3,754-plus professional drivers.