Page 54 - Arkanas Trucking Report Volume 22 Issue 5

THE LAST WORD

The Road to Recovery

Editor’s Note: As reports continue to come in that Puerto Ricans are struggling to recover without enough water, food, health care and electricity almost
a month after Hurricane Maria tore through the island and residents of Houston and Florida are still expecting months of cleanup, the wheels of trucks
have not stopped rolling with trailers full of supplies for relief and rebuilding. Walmart especially has been a leader in delivering aid in the recovery
efforts. ATA would like to thank every company who reached out to help our fellow Americans despite logistics challenges, pouring money, manpower
and equipment everywhere the waters rose. We are proud to represent an industry that carries hope into hurting communities.

By Tracy Rosser annually to deliver countless loads of high winds and devastating flooding.
Guest Writer merchandise to Walmart and Sam’s Club Many facilities were temporarily closed.
locations across the nation. Since then, most stores and clubs have
When Hurricanes And it’s because we work on this been able to bounce back and continue
Harvey, Irma and Maria scale every day that our drivers are so to serve our customers in areas affected
made landfall in August well-equipped to respond quickly during by these hurricanes. It’s because of the
and September of this major emergencies, delivering truckloads hard work and dedication of our people
year, they impacted mil- of supplies, basics, food and water to that facilities are quickly re-opening and
lions of people in their people impacted by devastating natural helping impacted communities rebuild.
path, destroying homes, knocking out disasters. Our responses to Harvey, Irma We’re proud of the great job our opera-
power and flooding towns as they crawled and Maria were full-company efforts that tions, merchandising and supply chain
across the Caribbean, Gulf and Atlantic demonstrated how our incredible people teams have done in supporting our cus-
coasts — forever changing the lives of make a difference. We also depended tomers, associates and their families.
those who live and work in these areas. on drivers from all of the trucking com- Walmart’s support hasn’t stopped
Our associates responded to these panies that support us — we can’t thank yet, nor will it soon end. Beyond the
emergencies with a level of outstand- them enough for their assistance in help- round-the-clock, hands-on work of our
ing service that is simply admirable. ing stand up hundreds of communities in associates, our company committed $20
Throughout Walmart’s 55-year history, the wake of these hurricanes. million to Harvey relief efforts. We also
we’ve been known for our low prices and You likely saw or heard about thou- donated at least $10 million to Irma
for revolutionizing the retail industry. sands of our associates who pitched in to relief and recovery efforts, as well as up
We’ve also applied what we’ve learned in help. One of many great examples dur- to $5 million in cash and product to
serving thousands of communities across ing Harvey includes a group of associates assist Puerto Rico with recovery efforts.
America in how we respond to major from Pleasanton, Tex., who drove two Giving back to our communities is
disasters and helping people when they hours to Corpus Christi to deliver truck- part of who we are — it has been, and it
need it. loads of food and essentials to associates will be in the future, part of a culture
One group that helps us step up and their families who were impacted that differentiates our company. While
during disasters is our drivers, who are by the hurricane. Many local stores gave we never want to see people in harm’s
part of the largest and safest private thousands of dollars in merchandise to way, one thing that can be counted on is
fleet in the industry. On any typical day first responders, volunteers and medical for Walmart to be there when communi-
across our country, you see our trucks professionals. ties need us most. ATR
on the road and the hard work of our Hundreds of Walmart facili-
drivers in action. Their commitment to ties — including supercenters, Sam’s Tracy Rosser is the senior vice presi-
dent, transportation at Walmart U.S.
service is amazing: Together, our driv- Clubs and distribution centers — in the He also serves on the Arkansas Trucking
ers travel more than 700 million miles path of these storms were exposed to Association’s board of directors.

Opinions expressed on this page may not reflect official policies or opinions of the Arkansas Trucking Association or the American Trucking Associations.

54 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT