FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NASHVILLE, TN, November 22, 2023 – The Tennessee Trucking Foundation and the Young Professional Council (YPC) of the Tennessee Trucking Association (TTA) proudly announce the success of their 5th Annual Haulin’ for the Holidays initiative. With a fundraising achievement of $100,000 this year, they will start deliveries on December 1st, ending in a grand finale toy drive on December 14th. This effort will provide clothing, food, and toys to families across Tennessee.
“There is not a harder working and more generous group of people than the trucking industry!” said YPC Chairperson Sarah Heffington of M & W Logistics. “The idea for a statewide toy drive started five years ago and has been driven by the Young Professional Council of the Tennessee Trucking Association as a way for trucking companies and industry partners to pull together and bless children and families across our state whose Christmas otherwise would not be as bright.” She states, “For me, ‘Haulin for the Holidays’ is personal. There was not one Christmas growing up that I wondered if there would be presents under the tree. Unfortunately, for many children
and teens across our state, that is not always the case, and the trucking industry is doing our part to change that.”
This year, the initiative has received overwhelming support from various “Angel Sponsors” within the trucking community.
“I’m floored by our trucking community’s generosity,” said Jessie Merritt, Executive Vice President of Sales for Reliance Partners and former chairman of the YPC. “This year is remarkable because we will more than double our funds raised from last year AND it’s a very challenging freight market. The Tennessee Trucking Association is home to the best and brightest in our industry and I’m inspired by the hustle and grit that makes these generous donations possible.”
Haulin’ for the Holidays is more than a toy drive. It stands for the mission of making a lasting impact on young lives and organizations supporting youth development. The YPC carefully personalizes donations to each non-profit’s specific needs, whether they need toys, books, or even bounce houses for school celebrations. “We’re thoughtful about the population we’re serving,” Merritt said. “We’re enthusiastic about representing every child in the toys or books they receive.”
Donna England, President of TTA, expressed her pride towards the young professionals working diligently to support these charities. “It is also very pleasing to see the work the charities are doing in our communities, and I am grateful that we get to play a part in helping them fulfill their mission,” added England.
The YPC invites everyone to join the Haulin’ for the Holidays finale on December 14th, 2023. The event will take place at Adams and Reese LLP, 1600 West End Ave, Unit 1400, Nashville, TN 37203, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a toy and join in the holiday cheer. Special thanks to Reliance Partners for providing food and beverages.
The ultimate goal for the YPC is to continue growing this initiative. Heffington states, “As for what is to come and how we plan to grow our ‘Haulin’ for the Holidays’ campaign in the years to come, stay tuned. We are working on plans that just may include taking this movement to other state trucking associations in an effort to grow our campaign nationwide!”
For more information about the Young Professionals Council and the Haulin’ for the Holidays initiative, please visit www.tntrucking.org/YPC.
Thank you to the following generous sponsors for the 2023 Haulin’ for the Holidays initiative:
Adams and Reese LLP, Ascend Transportation, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, Christenson Transportation, Cumberland International, Direct ChassisLink, Inc., Dunavant Global Logistics, FirstExpress, Inc., FirstFleet, Inc., Fleetco, Inc., FLS Transportation Services, Fountain Equipment Finance and Bonnie Kilgor Oslonian, HEC Leasing, JOST International, Konexial, Inc., Lytx, MHC Kenworth, Knoxville MHC Kenworth, Nashville, M&W Transportation, Motive, MS Logistics, Ozark Motor Lines, Inc., Pemberton Truck Lines, Inc., Pinnacle Bank, Reliance Partners, R. E. West, Inc., Sadler Brothers, Skyline Transportation, TAG Truck Center, TCW, Inc., Tennessee Freight Company, Tenny Group, Titan Transfer, TT Wilson Company, and Venture Express. We’d also like to thank the personal sponsorship from Tommy Hodges, Phillip Edwards, Pat Marsh, Debra Brake, and Dave Huneryager, your support has made this season an exceptional one. Thank you!
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About the Tennessee Trucking Association
Founded in 1930, TTA was forged out of the belief that a strong, unified industry would be essential in remaining effective and profitable in the future. Today, TTA is the driving force and the voice of the trucking industry in Tennessee. As an independent, non-profit trade association representing trucking companies and industry vendors, TTA exists to encourage the healthy growth and betterment of its more than 500 members statewide. TTA represents an important engine of Tennessee’s economy, supporting over 200,000 jobs and the safe transport of goods across the state. The Tennessee Trucking Association is an affiliate of the American Trucking Associations.
Press Contact:
Donna England
Dengland@tntrucking.org
615-777-2882