This week, the American Trucking Association and the entire U.S. trucking industry are encouraging all in the celebrating of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week which began yesterday and extends thru September 18. “This week is a time to remind the public of the debt and gratitude owed to these unsung heroes,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear.
At the height and during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, professional truck drivers have taken on a heroic role by delivering the essential goods to keep supply chains moving. The sacrifices that drivers have made to help carry the nation through the pandemic must never be understated. Drivers put their own health, and the health of their families on the line, overcoming challenging conditions including the availability of food and other personal needs. Their dedication and sacrifice in the midst of a pandemic, and now during unprecedented industry supply chain challenges is deserving of praise, recognition, and appreciation. Economies would not be able to bounce back without such dedication and efforts.
In the U.S., truck drivers deliver over 10 billion tons of freight every year, which is about 70 percent of all the freight moved. The trucking industry is the backbone of local and national economies, and professional drivers are the industry’s heart. Their commitment to safety and dependability ensures our quality of life remains intact.
The Supply Chain Matters blog is pleased to share with our readers this recognition and encourages all to make a special effort to thank truck drivers and all logistics and transportation professionals in your own way for their dedicated efforts. This includes not only in the United States but among other nations and regions.
This week, when you’re in a grocery or retail store, or online ordering needed products, think about the professional drivers that delivered all the items and food you, and everyone else you know, put into your carts. When sitting at home, maybe in your home office, look around and realize that everything inside it was at some point in the back of truck before it got to where it is now. Think about all the jobs truck drivers have made possible out of the commitment to do theirs.
In addition, C.H. Robinson is supporting a thank truck drivers effort by allowing people to directly submit thank you notes, photos and videos at ThankTruckDrivers.com. For each thank you received, the services provider will donate $1 to the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund to help truck drivers in need—up to $25,000. A total of $50,000 in cash prizes will be awarded throughout the week to recognize what drivers they have done this year.
The ATA and Act One member companies have produced a video that thanks truckers for their dedicated efforts.
The next time when cruising down the highway and passed by a truck, give them the famous honking sign – they’ll love it! If a passenger in your vehicle is able to capture the moment on video, post it to social media and include the hashtag #honkforhighwayhereos and #thankatrucker.
Bob Ferrari, Executive Editor
