Customers and employees of TA and Petro Stopping Center travel centers recently donated $7,744 to the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund (SCF), a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to truck drivers whose medical problems have led to financial hardship.
Drivers contributed nearly $4,253 at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, KY. in March. The 2015 donations at MATS surpassed those in 2014 by nearly $2,000. Employees of TravelCenters also donated more than $3,000 to SCF in several corporate fund raising events.
“When drivers learn that SCF helps other drivers in need, there is no hesitation in making a donation,” said Tom O’Brien, TravelCenters president and CEO. “We see this at both our industry shows and during our annual Band Together for SCF campaigns It’s a great feeling to be able to help out a cause that helps so many drivers in need,” he continued.
TravelCenters has provided support to the SCF since 2010 through its annual ‘Band Together for SCF’ fundraising campaigns, and smaller collection efforts at tradeshows and employee events throughout the year. To date, TravelCenters has helped raise over $1.4 million for the charity.
“Every year at MATS we are blown away by the enthusiasm the TA and Petro staff shows while running the prize wheel,” said Dr. Donna Kennedy, Executive Director of SCF. “They work so hard and their efforts always pay off. We greatly appreciate their support, as well as the support of those who donated. Since the end of 2007, we’ve been able to help more than 1,250 drivers in their time of need with over $950,000,” she added.
Drivers will also be able to make donations at the SCF booth at this year’s Expedite Expo in Wilmington, Ohio, July 24-25; and the TravelCenters booth at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, Aug. 27-29.
The 2015 ‘Band Together for SCF’ campaign will run during August, where drivers can donate $1 or more at TA and Petro sites and receive a commemorative wristband. Donations to the SCF can also be made directly at the group’s website.