Page 54 - ATR 6 2018 web

THE LAST WORD

Holiday Traditions

Bring Us Together

By Erica Brigance and nursing home residents, especially
Michelle Smith those without family. The pro-
Guest Writers gram strives to provide residents
with purposeful and heartfelt
This time of year, we take part in Christmas gifts and also coordi- assisting them at their weekly bingo
traditions, from the places we meet, the nates over 300 volunteers for one-to-one competition. (And while we thought we
food we cook or the gifts we exchange. visits. For many individuals in nursing knew what competition was from work-
Likewise, the Arkansas Trucking homes, these may be the only holiday ing in the trucking industry, it paled in
Association’s 40 Under 40 Council has gifts they receive. comparison to the competitive spirit of
held to a near-decade long tradition of As members of the 40 Under 40 those residents rushing to be the first to
giving back during the holiday season. Council, we have the opportunity to call “bingo!”)
The council, which meets quarterly learn from each other as well as other So many of our memories are of
at various locations across the state, industry executives, and build our profes- holiday traditions shaped by and spent
always includes an end-of-year volunteer sional skills while discussing industry with parents, grandparents and family
event to allow members to practice acts changes, trends, technology, laws and far and near. Even if some of those indi-
of kindness and generosity for communi- regulations. And as aspiring leaders, we viduals are no longer in our lives, we pass
ties or groups in need of holiday cheer. envision the future of the industry in on our traditions to the next generation
Previous events have included wrapping Arkansas and around the world. in an effort to keep memories alive. This
gifts for children in foster care and work- But as important is what we learn is why the 40 Under 40 Council holds on
ing with the Salvation Army to sort gifts about servant leadership – getting out to its annual tradition of giving back and
for local children in need. of our comfort zones and exercising serving others. Eventually, each of us will
This year, council members gathered empathy and compassion for the people grow out of being “under 40”. It will be
in Fort Smith on Friday, Dec. 7 to part- we work alongside and the communities our turn to pass down the memories and
ner with Project Compassion’s Hearts in which we do business. Our Council’s inspire the next generation of trucking’s
of Gold program. Gloria White founded holiday tradition helps bring these skills leaders, in hopes that they learn as much
the organization in 1972 after visiting a together. from these traditions as we have.
friend in a nursing home and realizing Our time with Project Compassion For more information about Project
the number of residents who had no visi- embodied and help spread the holiday Compassion Inc., or to give back, please
tors. The program began as a one-to-one season’s most important sentiments of visit www.projectcompassioninc.com.
visitation with a mission to bring joy, joy and companionship. This year’s event
companionship and quality of life to had our members divided into three Erica Brigance is the associate director
for customer experience at ArcBest
local nursing homes. teams: one group tasked with sorting and Technologies and is the current chair
Each December, Project Compassion packing donated items; another organiz- of the 40 Under 40 Council. Michelle
launches its Hearts of Gold holiday gift ing and transporting books for nursing Smith is a council member and serves as
drive where they collect lap quilts, sweat- home libraries; and a third visiting with project manager for solution design and
ers and other gifts of warm clothing for residents at an area nursing home and implementation at ArcBest.

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

54 Issue 6 2018 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT