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Drivers Dreams Come True

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Drivers DreamsCincinnati – Total Quality Logistics (TQL) is pleased to announce the winners of its first ever Drivers Dreams program, saluting the American truck driver and raising awareness for the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund, one of the only charities in the nation solely devoted to assisting truck drivers in need.

The winning Drivers Dream, receiving 41% of the vote, was A Chair Lift for His Son. The winner of the dream, Bill Simpson of Oquawka, Illinois was nominated by friend and co-worker at Bieri Trucking in Letts, Iowa, Becky Garner.

“In the past year, our life has really changed,” said Mr. Simpson. “This is a big stress relief for our family. My son was so excited when I told him we won. It made his day.”

TQL also is awarding a cash donation to the Drivers Dream that took second place with 34% of the vote, A Place to Call Home. The winner of this dream, John Berscheid of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was nominated by fellow driver, Shana Slater.

“This will go a long way toward making a truck drivers life as normal as can be,” said Mr. Berscheid.

A third dream, Groceries for My Family, also is being fulfilled thanks to a private donation by TQL employees themselves. The request was submitted by a driver in Darlington, Pa.

The Drivers Dreams program began on Monday, August 27. Professional truck drivers or friends or family members of professional truck drivers could go to www.DriversDreams.com to submit any dream, wish or need they might have. Then, during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, September 16 – September 22, anyone could go onto www.DriversDreams.com to vote for the dream they felt TQL should fulfill.

Additionally, for every dream submitted and every vote cast, TQL donated $1 to the St. Christopher Fund (SCF). The Drivers Dream program raised $21,977 for the SCF, which helps professional truck drivers and their families who have financial needs due to medical problems. The SCF was started by radio personality Dave Nemo, who hosts The Dave Nemo Show on Sirius XM-106, the Road Dog Channel.

“This has been an amazing experience for everyone at TQL,” said Jo Wehage, director of marketing. “Every dream we received was a heartfelt message of compassion and genuine concern for truck drivers across the nation. We plan on making this an annual program to celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.”

About Total Quality Logistics (www.TQL.com)

Total Quality Logistics is a privately held company founded in 1997 that connects consumer product and industrial goods shippers with truck operators that transport freight to market destinations across North America. The company’s more than 2,000 employees identify the right trucks for particular freight loads, negotiate rates, and ensure on-time delivery. TQL was the first freight brokerage in the nation to introduce mobile freight finding applications to the trucking industry. The company’s investment in industry-leading technology and its insistence on honest, straightforward communications has made it the third largest freight brokerage in the nation and a nationally recognized Best Place to Work. TQL’s corporate headquarters is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, with satellite offices in 12 additional cities across the nation. To learn more, visit www.tql.com.

About St. Christopher Fund (SCF) (www.truckersfund.org)

The St. Christopher Truckers Development & Relief Fund (SCF) helps professional drivers and their families who have financial needs due to medical problems. Assistance may be in the form of direct payment for medical services or prescription drugs, assistance with expenses while recovering from illness and out of work, assisting and teaching drivers how to negotiate hospital and doctor bills. Since the beginning, the foundation has done its best with limited resources and staff to help make a difference. The SCF runs with three part-time employees. The Board of Directors, web designer, accountant, and attorney are all volunteers who donate their time and services, which help keep overhead at 10-20%. The Fund has assisted 561 drivers through July 2012.

Here are the original nominations:

DREAM #10 – A CHAIR LIFT FOR HIS SON

SUBMITTED BY: BECKY G.

 

Wish for Bill S. an OTR driver. Last September his 16 year old son Ryan had an accident in their swimming pool, paralyzing him from the neck down, (with the exception of a little movement in his left arm). Imagine this news for the family, and Ryan who should be enjoying the last year’s of high school. Bill’s wife Becky stayed by Ryan’s side, Bill accompanied her while also taking care of a young daughter at home, plus trying to be an OTR driver. Anyone could understand the place he wanted to be was with his wife and son, there was also that concern of finances and maintaining financial support for his family. OTR drivers commit to missing a lot of family time in their profession, but how do you prepare for this? Bill didn’t miss much work considering, but his wife had to quit her job to care for Ryan full-time. They’ve been reduced to one income, Ryan does not qualify for Social Security since he is under the age of 18. Bill has tried to get help for the equipment needed for Ryan, but even with Bill’s single income they are over the guidelines, unreal is what I say. This money can’t fix what has been lost, nor can it heal their hearts, but it could help them purchase an ever so needed lift for their van so that Ryan can be wheeled in and out of the vehicle, rather than physically lifted. Help him keep a little independence, please. Thanks.

 

DREAM #9 – A PLACE TO CALL HOME

SUBMITTED BY: SHANNA S.

 

I want John to be able to spend quality time with his little girls. After a horrific semi-truck accident almost 4 years ago, John was lucky to be alive, but left with thousands of dollars in medical bills, a steel rod in his leg, loss of his personal truck, and ruined credit. After recovery, it was tough finding another source of income. The open road still called his name. Three years to the day in early November 2011, he climbed back into a company truck and lives there. His small amount of belongings are scattered across family homes and storage units. When he gets home to see his 2 little girls (ages 9 and 10) he has to pick them up, go to dinner and the park or something, and then take them home. There is no long term visit, no quality time playing games, baking cookies, or watching TV. It would be a blessing to have the ability to pay off these remaining bills so he has the money to rent an apartment or enough money to purchase a small trailer house – a place to climb out of his truck, relax, spend some time with his family…a place to call HOME.

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