Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, May 8, 2025:
Penn. Make-a-Wish convoy rolls on Saturday this year
The annual Make-a-Wish Mother’s Day Truck Convoy in Pennsylvania is moving to a new day this year and will be held on Saturday, May 10, rather than its traditional Mother’s Day schedule.
The event is put on annually by Make-a-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley. This year’s convoy will be the chapter’s 36th. Proceeds help grant life-changing wishes for local children with critical illnesses, bringing hope, strength, and joy when it's needed most.
The Make-a-Wish chapter said moving the event to Saturday “ensures greater attendance, more volunteer support, and improved safety -- allowing families to enjoy the convoy and Mother’s Day without conflict. This change follows the recommendation of our safety committee.”
The Convoy will begin at the Manheim Pennsylvania Auto Auction in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with truck parking and driver registration from 6-10 a.m., a Family Fest from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., speakers at noon and the convoy departing at 1:30 p.m.
[Related: Wisconsin Make-a-Wish convoy will ride again, this time in the Dells]
This year’s Mother’s Day Truck Convoy will feature:
- Hundreds of independent drivers, trucking companies and small businesses from across the Susquehanna Valley and beyond, with many drivers traveling thousands of miles to participate.
- Family-friendly activities, including carnival games, entertainment, food trucks, basket raffles, and an online auction. Parking and admission are free for those attending the Family Fest.
- A chance to see the trucks up close and experience the start of the convoy at 1:30 p.m.
- The 26-mile convoy, which will travel through Lancaster County, with many trucks carrying wish kids along the route.
For truckers interested in participating, driver registration is still open with more than 225 trucks already registered. Drivers and businesses can sign up until the day of the event.
One of the Make-a-Wish Foundation’s original co-founders, Linda Pauling, will also be on-hand for this year’s Convoy to speak, meet with drivers and ride in the Convoy.
All funds raised through the event will go directly to granting wishes for children with critical illnesses in the Susquehanna Valley.
[Related: Remembering the inaugural Pennsylvania Make-a-Wish Mother's Day convoy]
OOIDA celebrating Military Appreciation Month with Truckers for Troops campaign
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is acknowledging Military Appreciation Month with a Truckers for Troops campaign from May 12-18. This program focuses on supporting U.S. troops overseas and veterans back home.
The fundraising effort has been an OOIDA tradition since 2007, originally dedicated to sending care packages to service personnel stationed in combat zones. Truckers for Troops has also helped a variety of veterans facilities, including those assisting or housing wounded, disabled or homeless service members.
Over the past 17 years, OOIDA has raised more than $800,000 and sent more than 3,278 care packages, serving more than 39,276 members of the military. Aid packages have also been sent to 65 different facilities caring for wounded, disabled and homeless veterans.
During the upcoming campaign period, truckers can join OOIDA or renew their membership for $35, with 10% of that money going toward care packages. OOIDA matches the 10% dollar for dollar. During business hours, drivers can call 816-229-5791 and mention Truckers for Troops, to get transferred to Membership. Drivers can also visit www.OOIDA.com and select “Become a Member” to join or renew. If mailing in payments, indicate “Dues & Donation” or “Donation only” and specify “TROOPS” on your payment. Direct donation-only checks to the OOIDA Foundation.
Donations only and more information is available here. Individual tax-deductible contributions to the Truckers for Troops fund are also welcome and can be paid to the OOIDA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
Anyone who has a family member or friend serving with the U.S. military, and who would like for them to get a care package, can send the name and complete address to [email protected] and be sure to include projected stateside return date.
St. Christopher Fund names new director
The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF) this week named Courtney Niemann as the new Executive Director of the fund, effective immediately.
Courtney Niemann
Niemann brings more than 25 years of experience in the public health field. She is an accomplished community health specialist and nonprofit leader with a proven track record of driving impactful programs, securing funding, and leading high-performing teams, SCF noted.
“I am so excited to announce that Courtney Niemann has become the SCF’s new Executive Director,” Kennedy said. “I have known Courtney for over 10 years. Her heart for nonprofit work and health prevention made her the perfect candidate to lead the St. Christopher Fund.”
Niemann has expertise in community organizing, health advocacy, nonprofit management, and strategic planning. Her experience in developing and implementing initiatives that improve community well-being, enhancing partnerships, and ensuring sustainable growth will no doubt be of great value to the St. Christopher Fund and the drivers it serves.
“Guided by a lifelong commitment to prevention, I have dedicated my career to advancing health equity and community well-being,” Niemann said. “I’m excited to join the St. Christopher Truckers Fund and look forward to collaborating with the team to further its mission.”
Kenworth dealer expands in Washington state
Papé Kenworth has announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art, full-service dealership in Federal Way, Washington.
The new facility, located along the I-5 corridor, spans nearly 73,000 square feet, sitting on 12 acres to accommodate the growing needs of trucking operations in the region. The property includes a 34,600-square-foot shop featuring 23 service bays, a fully enclosed wash bay, and a dynamometer -- all in service of streamlining diagnostics and maintenance for customers.
"This new facility was built to meet our customers' evolving demands across the Pacific Northwest," said Mitch Hatfield, General Manager. "With expanded service capacity and greater parts availability, we're better equipped than ever to keep our customers moving and their fleets running strong."
The Federal Way location is staffed by experienced industry experts, including 32 service professionals, 20 parts specialists, and 14 body shop technicians.
With its comprehensive parts department and service shop, the new Kenworth facility is designed to handle anything from complex repairs with quick turnarounds to major equipment upgrades, the dealership said.
The dealership also offers new and used truck sales, rentals, leasing, and support for all major truck and trailer manufacturers.
Pilot adds travel center in West Texas
Pilot this week announced it has added a brand-new Xpress Fuel travel center in Vinton, Texas, just outside of El Paso, to its growing network.
The new facility, located off I-10, Exit 2 at 581 Vinton Road, is now open and offers 35 truck parking spaces and eight diesel lanes.
The company said the location also features showers, a hot and cold deli with grab-and-go options, mobile fueling and more.
