The American Trucking Association designates one week per year as National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Bennett International Group, LLC celebrated along with the rest of the country by holding Drivers Appreciation Week festivities throughout the third week of September. Staff and leaders at the company spent the days celebrating those who sacrifice so much to keep freight moving on the open road.
Bennett events kicked off September 16 in Springfield, Ohio and concluded Sept. 23 in Pendleton, Oregon. During the week drivers participated in events held at a number Bennett locations throughout the U.S. Games, giveaways, and raffles took place at most events, and several locations included a health fair that offered blood pressure screenings, flu shots, and more. Breakfast and lunch were served at all locations, and some locations held safety meetings.
Vietnam Veteran recognition programs and Show & Shine contests were also among the activities at a few of the Bennett locations. New this year at was a live Ustream of the presentation portion of the event that took place at the home office in McDonough, so those who were unable to attend could join via computer, tablet, or mobile device.
And it was a picture-perfect day in McDonough September 18 where the classic, southern rock band, Midnite Cruzer, performed for drivers who attended the event. Later during the presentation, Marcia Taylor, president and chief executive officer, announced the 2015 Women Drivers of Excellence winners, a woman driver chosen for her positive impact in the industry and the company from each Bennett division. Those honored included Heidi Crosby for Bennett Truck Transport, Lois Carlson for Bennett Motor Express, Diana Robinson for Ace Doran, Kay Dossett for Bennett’s DriveAway division, Rebecca Smith for Bennett’s DriveAway Power Only division, and Diane Frederick for Bennett’s DriveAway Pick-up/RV division. Members of the President’s Million Mile club were also recognized.
Show & Shine contests took place at the McDonough and Cincinnati locations. Timothy Aldridge won first place and Glen Thibodeaux took second place in McDonough. Show & Shine winners from Ace Doran are Dan Eynon, winner, and Mark Kirker, took second place.
Also this year, Bennett, in conjunction with the Truckload Carriers Association, held a Vietnam Veterans 50thAnniversary Ceremony honoring drivers who served during the conflict. Vietnam Veterans who self-identified and attended the McDonough event took part in the ceremony as each was recognized. For those attending at other location or not in attendance, each name was read aloud, and some locations had their own ceremonies.
A putting green, a cornhole challenge, and raffles were held to raise funds for Bennett’s Driver Relief Fund, a fund administered by Bennett’s Driver Advisory Board to help drivers in times of need. A total of $10,310 was raised and will be matched by Bennett Motor Express.
Altogether more than 400 drivers attended the events held throughout the week. Even though Bennett contractor, Dabney Crosby, was one who didn’t get the opportunity to attend, he was able to watch the live streaming of the event in McDonough and here’s what he had to say about it.
“I realize that this had to be a lot of extra work on top of everyone’s daily responsibility,” Crosby wrote in an email. “No one takes that kind of extra time and care because they get paid for it. It shows genuine appreciation for the drivers and the company as a whole. If everyone took this much pride in their career, the world would be a much better place…It says a lot for our company and all the members of the Bennett family.”
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