Rhode Island truckers participate in convoy for Special Olympics

Truckers took to highways of Rhode Island on Sunday to assist elevate cash for an amazing trigger, Particular Olympics.

The third annual Torch Run Truck Convoy for Particular Olympics Rhode Island came about on Might 22. Round 45 vans from over 30 corporations participated within the fundraising occasion. A variety of Particular Olympics athletes have been available promoting raffle tickets, greeting truckers and cheering them on because the convoy rolled out.

Based on the group’s web site, the annual occasion is a “nationwide one-day celebration
of the trucking trade, its allied companions, and legislation enforcement all working collectively to
assist elevate funds and consciousness for Particular Olympics and their superb athletes.”

The occasion was co-hosted by Particular Olympics Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Trucking Affiliation and a number of state enforcement companies. The convoy started on the Worldwide Sport Know-how headquarters parking zone in West Greenwich, R.I. Led by an escort of 20 police bikes, the convoy drove up I-95 to Route 146 by way of Windfall and returned to West Greenwich vie Route 95.

Based on Tracy Garabedian, senior director of particular occasions for Particular Olympics Rhode Island, the cash generated by the convoy advantages the group’s year-round applications of sports activities coaching and athletic competitions, notably the upcoming Summer season Video games on the College of Rhode Island. This 12 months marks the return of the Summer season Video games, which have been cancelled the previous two years as a consequence of COVID-19.

“The convoy is essential to our fundraising efforts as a result of there are nonetheless fundraisers we aren’t doing due to COVID,” Garabedian instructed Land Line. “We’re nonetheless not internet hosting any massive scale, indoor occasions corresponding to our gala. In order that leaves some holes in our price range that should be crammed, and this occasion was a giant assist with that.”

Garabedian stated the income generated from this 12 months’s occasion, round $13,000, is double what they raised with final 12 months’s convoy. That kind of success has led to the expansion of the occasion annually.

“We hope to proceed to develop annually by perhaps including a basic automotive present, distributors, and different family-friendly actions,” she stated.

Chris Maxwell, president of the Rhode Island Trucking Affiliation, stated occasions corresponding to this are a chance to place truckers and the trade into the highlight.

“Immediately was an ideal day to showcase our trade’s satisfaction and professionalism in assist of an amazing trigger,” Maxwell instructed ABC6.  “I’m grateful to all who participated and made this 12 months’s occasion successful.” LL