A child鈥檚 wish to ride in a big rig, granted by truck drivers nearly 30 years ago, created a movement resulting in fulfilled wishes for hundreds of children battling life-threatening illnesses.
Each Mother鈥檚 Day, a 26-mile stretch of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is transformed as hundreds of trucks participate in the Mother鈥檚 Day Truck Convoy, a fundraiser for
in Lancaster will host the 29th annual on Sunday, May 13, to raise money to help fulfill the wishes of Make-A-Wish children. Penske is proud to serve as the 鈥淥fficial Convoy Trucking Company鈥� for the year.
Make-A-Wish hopes to raise $500,000 in order to grant 50 wishes to 50 local children.
鈥淭here is so much happening that it is easy to lose sight of the urgency that this event represents and that is the need to fund approximately 70 percent of the wishes that happen here in the Susquehanna Valley in Central Pennsylvania,鈥� said Ben Lee, regional director of Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley.
Since that first wish, the fundraiser has raised more than $7 million, and the convoy has held two different Guinness World Records and is currently the world鈥檚 longest truck convoy.
More than a Wish
The chapter has granted more than 6,000 wishes since its founding in 1986. Most of the wishes from children fall into four categories: I wish to go, I wish to be, I wish to have or I wish to meet.
鈥淭he kinds of wishes we love are wishes that allow a child to see themselves doing what they love, living a life on the other side of this critical illness that is limiting their life so much now,鈥� Lee said.
More than just a fun experience for the child and their family, 鈥渢he wish is necessary and contributes to a child鈥檚 medical journey,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淎 wish is a part of a child鈥檚 medical team.鈥�
In addition to the convoy, the daylong event also features a carnival, which has a live auction, live entertainment, carnival-style games and food. Admission is free and 100 percent of all purchases goes to Make-A-Wish.
Official Convoy Trucking Company
In addition to participating in the convoy, Penske will provide a truck to assist the organization with preparations in the days leading up to the event.
鈥淢ake-A-Wish is a great organization,鈥� said Andrew Stevenson, a manager of national retail truck centers at 黑料社 鈥淚t seems only fitting that we partner with Make-A-Wish and be the Official Convoy Trucking Company for this year鈥檚 convoy.鈥�
Last year, Penske helped Make-A-Wish transport its , when the organization was without a driver to transport the trailer from its New York location to Lancaster in time for the convoy. This year, the trailer will be part of the convoy for the first time.
鈥淧enske has always been there,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淵ou are a partner who has used your resources for good, and we thank you for that.鈥�
A Force for Good
The event has come a long way from its humble beginnings with 40 professional truck drivers participating that first year. This year more than 500 truck drivers are expected to participate in the convoy.
鈥淲e all know that truck drivers are what keeps America running,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淭his is a season where truck drivers are applauded and thanked for the work that they do and for making a difference in the lives of children and their families where a critical illness has almost ruined them.鈥�
Truck drivers鈥� participation in the convoy is symbolic of the dedication they have to the plight of children in need.
鈥淭ruck drivers are incredibly generous. They are a force for good in the world and that is what we get to see every Mother鈥檚 Day,鈥� Lee said.
For more information on the Mother鈥檚 Day Truck Convoy & Family Fun Day, visit .
By Bernie Mixon
held a grand opening celebration in Loveland, Colorado. Taking part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, from left: Loveland Mayor Jacki Marsh; Fred Haddad, Penske Mountain Area Vice President; Andy Miller, Penske Branch Manager; Zach Endicott, Penske District Manager; and Rick Pytlik, Penske Senior Vice President, Western Region.
Mike Duff is senior vice president of government relations and chief compliance officer for . He was named TRALA's chairman for 2018-2019.
Rosa won the fundraiser in 2013 with a record-breaking $111,884, earning him the honor of smooching a shiny, black-haired pig named Maycie May (pictured above).
