Stop; take a moment to consider your surroundings. We’re currently living in a country that is increasingly polarized by politics, race, religion, sexuality, etc. At every turn, through traditional media outlets and social media alike, we are beaten down by opinions swayed by misinformation. We’ve come to the point where individuals need “safe spaces” when they encounter an opposing point of view because, for whatever reason, common sense is failing, entitlement is growing, and the ability to grow through discussion is all but gone.
Our society grows increasingly terrifying—and terrified—as the need to coddle the feelings of individuals grows. As we adapt our language, our schools, our work environments to be politically correct and placate the demands of social justice warriors, we lose part of ourselves out of fear of the repercussions of speaking the truth of our own feelings or thoughts. The polarization perpetuated by politics and media only feeds the fire of violence, intolerance, and helplessness.
BURGEONING HOPE
While our proud, young country has hit a bit of a rough patch, there is still a bright light within its citizens. In fact, you can see it in the very industry to which this publication caters. It’s not only a beautiful thing; it’s a path for change. Companies from small to large, individually owned to Fortune 500, even down to the individual driver level, have taken up the act of giving back to communities using work trucks, service cranes, and other tools of the trade.
These philanthropic endeavors aren’t simply about throwing money at a charity and calling it a day. These companies and drivers are utilizing what they have in order to make a difference using creative, innovative, and resourceful methods.
Take, for example, Operation Roger—an informal operation founded by Sue Weise in 2005 to help rescue animals and lost pets get a ride home by way of regional and long haul truck drivers. To date, Operation Roger has helped 896 animals get home. This endeavor isn’t company sponsored, nor does it pay; these individuals are volunteering their time to help those who can’t help themselves. Such acts of kindness can spread wide (geographically speaking) or stay close to home.
HUNGRY FOR ACTION
There is a non-profit organization called Move for Hunger, which partners with relocation companies to collect and deliver non-perishable food items to food banks across America. While a far-reaching organization, the initiative starts at home. Sometimes, quite literally.
A+ Moving and Storage of Fayetteville, North Carolina, recently wrapped one of its moving trucks with information about Move for Hunger in an attempt to encourage the community to donate unwanted food when they move. And, so far, it’s worked extremely well. A+ Moving and Storage has delivered more than 7,000 lbs of food to their local pantry, the Fayetteville Urban Ministry, and provided more than 5,800 meals to individuals in need.
Move for Hunger is working with 601 moving companies across the US and Canada and, with the help of these companies, has delivered more than 6,029,990 lbs of food.
Featured Image: Dallwig Brothers’ bright blue boom truck serves as a visible tool in a public awareness campaign: the fight against Type I diabetes.
Above: Fascan International and V&H Inc-Heavy Trucks’ one-of-a-kind, pink boom truck.
RAISING AWARENESS
There are many forms of giving. Sometimes the best form is to raise awareness so that individuals can take action. Dallwig Brothers Building Supply—a regional supplier of drywall and roofing products—is taking that very route.
Back in February, Dallwig Brothers unveiled a bright blue boom truck, which serves as a visible tool in a public awareness campaign: the fight against Type I diabetes. The company also presented a check for $50,000 to the Oregon/SW Washington Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and pledged an annual donation of 25 cents for every mile the new truck is on the road.
“We’re so grateful to Dallwig Brothers,” says Judy Summers, the chapter’s executive director. “Their donations will help to support important research to find a cure for T1D and this beautifully painted truck will help heighten the awareness of JDRF and our fight against the disease.”
CAN’T BEAT AN AUCTION
Many companies take their efforts to the public in the form of charity auctions. Such auctions are a great way to involve the community in raising awareness and helping the cause. Fascan International—the US distributor of Fassi articulating cranes—and V&H Inc-Heavy Trucks, raised $200,000 for cancer research through the auction of a one-of-a-kind, pink boom truck.
The net profit from the sale of the truck benefits the efforts of Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation of Marshfield, Wisconsin, toward finding a cure for breast cancer.
“We couldn’t be more pleased by the response to this auction,” says Tim Wolf, general sales manager, V&H Inc-Heavy Trucks. “We wanted to use our expertise to support the Marshfield Clinic Research Fund and the important work of diagnosing and treating cancer.
We’re very proud that our colleagues in the industry responded to this effort and that the end result will benefit a cause that affects so many.”
Operation Roger, an informal operation founded by Sue Weise in 2005, helps rescue animals and lost pets get a ride home by way of regional and long haul truck drivers.
IT STARTS WITH YOU
The great thing about giving back to the community, about philanthropic endeavors, is the lack of exclusivity.
Anyone can do it. Whether you give time, money, or resources, you can make a difference. Sometimes, all it takes is a kind word.
Our society may be a bit tumultuous at present and, let’s face it, the tensions, hardships, and volatile differences of opinion will always be at an ebb and flow, but change starts with you. It starts with me. It starts with a little bit of kindness and an effort to make our communities better.
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MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS: MAY 2016 ISSUE
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