Keith Wagner led the 29th annual Mother’s Day Convoy by raising the most money out of all participating truckers. He is shown here pointing to the star honoring his late granddaughter on his trailer.Approximately 539 truck drivers turned out for the 29th annual Mother’s Day Truck Convoy in Lancaster, Pa., to benefit the Make-A-Wish of Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley, writes David Hollis, editor of Overdrive sister site Truckers News.
Keith Wagner, a 38-year trucking veteran, led the convoy after raising the most money out of all participating drivers – $22,000. The convoy was about more than money for Wagner, however. “The trailer he was pulling had dozens of stars on its sides, each with the name of a Wish child who has died. And, one of those stars says ‘Harley W.,’ Wagner’s granddaughter,” Hollis writes.
Dennis Heron, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish chapter, said the convoy means “everything” to the organization, but it means even more to the greater Lancaster community, Hollis writes.
“This is a Mother’s Day tradition,” Heron said. “For 29 years they have grown accustomed to the convoy being part of their celebration of their Mother’s Day. It has really been embraced. On one of the heaviest traveling days of the year — people going to see mom, have dinner, taker her presents — and (the state) practically shuts down Route 222 for us to have this convoy. It’s not always about the money, it’s about the community coming together and recognizing there are deserving children in their community that deserve to be supported through this event.”
As Hollis reports, Heron gives credit to the truck drivers for making the event happen year after year.
