January is National Human Trafficking Month and the trucking industry has been showing its support for Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) in a big way.
TAT is a national non-profit dedicated to educating members of the transportation industry on human trafficking and how to identify and disrupt it.
During a press conference Tuesday, Jan. 15, Truckers Against Trafficking debuted the “Everyday Heroes” truck, a custom 2019 Kenworth T680 that will be auctioned off later this year. All proceeds from the auction will benefit TAT.
“At any one time, there are more truck drivers on the road than there are police and by utilizing this great group of people, the American truck driver, the partnership between TAT and the American truck driver is making a difference,” said TAT board member Don Blake during the press conference. “They’re a force for good in this world, and so our group of industry sponsors came together and built this amazing truck you see behind me, the Everyday Heroes truck.”
Blake is the new truck sales manager at Inland Kenworth in Phoenix and is overseeing the “Everyday Heroes” truck auction.
The Kenworth T680 “Everyday Heroes” truck has a value of $162,000. Its custom wrap includes the phone number for the National Human Trafficking Hotline as well as the TAT logo. The truck will be displayed at the TMC 2019 annual meeting in Atlanta March 18-21, at the Mid-America-Trucking Show in Louisville March 28-30, and at Ritchie Bros, which will host the auction in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 17.
TravelCenters of America, which operates TA and Petro Stopping Centers, is fundraising for TAT through February by selling TAT-branded merchandise in its stores. From now through Feb. 28, TravelCenters of America will donate $1 to the non-profit for each TAT-branded item purchased in its stores. Available items include tumblers, hats, flashlights, and more.
Whenever you suspect human trafficking, TAT recommends calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888.