SCG had several Owner Operators who participated in the annual World’s Largest Truck Convoy event held nationwide on September 20th. The Truck Convoy is a project of the Law Enforcement Torch Run and benefits the Special Olympics. To participate, truckers donate a $100 entry fee and meet at a staging location and then convoy to a predetermined destination. They are welcomed at the destination by Special Olympic athletes, families, friends and members of the law enforcement community where they all celebrate the event with picnics, BBQs and fun for all. The Truck Convoy is the brainchild of Norm Schneiderhan, a Corporal with the Orange County (Florida) Sheriff's Department, who inspired by his participation in the Law Enforcement Torch Run and his family’s involvement in the trucking industry, founded the event. Last year, the Convoy raised almost $700,000 for the Special Olympics.
Jay and Claret Riley, an SCG team, participated in the Convoy in Atlanta for the first time this year, and were so excited that they plan to organize the event in their home state of Oklahoma next year. They even had a ride along as Leeland Martin, a well know Country and Western star, joined them in their truck for the event. Jay and Claret are no strangers to donating their time to the Special Olympics. Recently Jay, who goes by the handle “MagicChef”, cooked a gourmet dinner in Louisville to raise money for the Special Olympics. With the help of Dino and Karen Owens, also SCG Owner Operators, Jay was able to raise $1005! Jay and Claret enjoy donating their time to help the children that participate in the Special Olympics. Jay says it’s a great way to give back.
SCG Owner Operators Doc Holiday and Charles Halloway and Cheryl Tharp (in a truck owned by Brett Derning) also participated in the event in Atlanta. This was Doc’s second year to make the convoy. He finds it really rewarding to see the smiles on the faces of the athletes and to know that all the proceeds are going to such a great cause.
Kevin Freel, an Owner Operator in Lansing MI, was another first timer this year. Although he has donated in years past, this was the first year he participated in the driving event. The Special Olympics holds a dear place in his heart as his brothers-in-law are both special education educators in the state of Michigan. So when the event rolled around this year, Kevin’s wife said “let’s do it!” Kevin says they loved every minute of it and definitely plan to make the convoy next year.
SCG would like to thank all of our outstanding Owner Operators who donated their time and money to this very “Special” event.
