Page 52 - ATR 5 2020 digital

Loads of Gratitude

ATA celebrates drivers during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

On Sept. 17, the Arkansas Trucking providing food for our tables, life-saving
Association celebrated the millions of supplies for hospitals, computers on our
professional truck drivers who work desks and in our pockets,” Arkansas
each day to deliver America’s freight Trucking Association president Shannon
safely by preparing over 800 hot lunches Newton said in announcing the week’s
at the TA Petro Stopping Center to serve events.
drivers traveling along I-40, where more “In times of prosperity or times
than 15,000 trucks travel east of North of crisis, Arkansas’s and our Nation’s
Little Rock each day. economy rides on the shoulders of pro-
The event was preceded by an fessional drivers who bring what we
official proclamation from Gov. Asa need every day to thrive and survive,
Hutchinson, in which he officially build and rebuild our lives across the
declared September 13th through 19th State,” the proclamation states.
Truck Driver Appreciation Week in ATA also launched a billboard
Arkansas. campaign around the state throughout
“Even as many Arkansans are the month of September to send the
adjusting to new ways of working, message that “whatever you’re tracking,
learning, exercising, and even social- truck drivers are delivering” all those
izing, truck drivers are continuing to do anxiously awaited packages to homes,
what they do best day-in and day-out— businesses, pharmacies, schools, restau-
connecting Arkansans to all the things rants and favorite shops.
we need to live our lives,” Hutchinson
said in the proclamation.
For over 20 years, the Arkansas
Trucking Association has shown their
appreciation by inviting truck drivers
to join them for a free hot meal. For
this year’s event, “Loads of Gratitude,”
ATA worked with sponsors and donors
to deliver a low-contact lunch and
laundry for the men and women who
have proved that the loads they carry are
essential to our way of life.
“National Truck Driver
Appreciation Week is an annual oppor-
tunity to celebrate the dedication of
these essential workers. Truck drivers
have endured incredible challenges  Jon and Shannon Pertchik,
this year keeping themselves and their Justin Garrett, and Karl Dalrymple
communities safe and healthy while (TravelCenters of America)

52 Issue 5 2020 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT