Law enforcement officials escorted 197 heavy- and medium-duty trucks along a 53-mile route up US Highway 41 from the Pioneer Travel Plaza in Richfield to the EAA Grounds in Oshkosh. The event is hosted annually in support of Special Olympic Athletes and to bring awareness to America’s truckers.
“This year was utterly amazing. We were all pleasantly surprised by the large increase,” says Julie Drake of Special Olympics Wisconsin.
In 2014, the convoy had 165 trucks and raised $122,000, which were new records. This year’s event crushed those numbers, with 197 trucks and more than $135,000 raised. Since 2005, Wisconsin’s Convoy has raised more than $955,500 to benefit people with intellectual disabilities and continues to garner support for the nation’s truckers. Traditionally, the event marks the end of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week and honors truckers and their support of Special Olympic athletes.
JX Peterbilt’s popular food truck, the JX Chuck Wagon, was at the event. JX Associates served coffee and donuts out of the Chuck Wagon to attendees during registration and staging in Richfield.
This year’s event was sponsored by EH Wolf & Sons and founding partners, the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association, the Waupun Truck-N-Show and Convoy hosts, the Pioneer Travel Plaza, EAA, and JX Peterbilt.
“Supporting Special Olympics ensures that people with intellectual disabilities are able to maximize their full potential through the power of sports. We’re happy to be a part of that.” added Rick Smith, General Manager for JX Truck Center -Waukesha.
Sparhawk Trucking, a customer of JX Truck Center – Wausau, donated a trailer for Ron and Nita Mathiesen of Badger Utility Trailer. The trailer was decked out in convoy graphics and even included artwork from Special Olympic athletes.
About JX:
JX is a family-owned, locally-operated group of more than 24 truck dealerships and support services in the upper midwest. JX Truck Center, JX Financial, Alltrux Capital, JX Rental, JX Leasing, JX Graphics, and Alltrux Truck & Trailer Parts are all subsidiaries. JX prides itself in their ability to help customers by providing transportation solutions to fit their long- and short-term goals. JX was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Hartland, Wisconsin proudly representing the Peterbilt, Volvo, Hino & Kalmar Ottawa brands. To learn more, visit http://www.jxe.com
About Special Olympics Wisconsin:
Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy while participating in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, Special Olympics athletes and the community. For more information, visit http://www.specialolympicswisconsin.org
