Trucking Gives Generously to Help Houston Recover from Harvey

Trucking industry companies across the nation are pledging charitable support for the victims of Hurricane Harvey and the long recovery effort ahead.

The following is just a small sample of companies and people who have seen the destruction from Harvey’s floods and decided to give support in any way they can.

In a joint effort, U.S. subsidiaries of Daimler, including Daimler Trucks North America and Mercedes-Benz USA, are donating $1 million in total to victims of the storm. The donation will be given to the American Red Cross to be used for immediate disaster relief, emergency assistance, and other services.

The Illinois Trucking Association is collaborating with the Texas Trucking Association and has contacted its members that have terminals near Houston to offer equipment, supplies, and money to the Harvey recovery effort. ITA has asked any members with trailers or available trucks and drivers to assist in taking supplies to the area. It also asked for collections of supplies to be picked up by ITA, and for monetary donations as well. Collection sites will be set up in Illinois at the following locations and dates:

• Wed. Sep. 6: 9 a.m. -Noon at JX Peterbilt - Bloomington (607 Truckers Ln, I-55 Exit 160)
• Wed. Sep. 6: 2-5 p.m. at CIT Trucks - Springfield (3440 Gatlin Dr, I-55 Exit 100A)
• Thur. Sep. 7: 9 a.m.-Noon at Cadence Premier Logistics - Joliet (2250 S Chicago St, Rt 53 & Laraway)
• Sat. Sep. 9: 4-6 p.m. at CIT Trucks - Troy, Ill. (2120 Liebler Dr, I-55/I-70 Exit 18) *ITA is also in need of pallets, boxes, and shrink wrap.

Love’s Travel Stops is giving $1 million total to the mid- and long-term relief and recovery efforts. Love’s will give $500,000 to the United Way Harvey Recovery fund, which ensures that 100% of donations will be distributed to local United ways to help victims in Texas and Louisiana in the months and years ahead. Love’s is also earmarking $500,000 to help its employees through the Love’s Employee Emergency Fund.

JMS Transportation of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has started a supply drive with the goal of filling a 53-foot trailer with supplies to send to Texas. For more information on the types of supplies the company is asking for, check out the JMS Facebook Page. The company will be collecting donations until 10 a.m. on Sept. 5, at 5650 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52404. The company has also set up a GoFundMe page for money donations.

Not all companies are giving supplies and money. Utah-based Clearline Transportation is offering full-time employment to experienced CDL drivers in the Houston area to help them cope financially with the devastation. Clearline has even offered to help relocate drivers on a temporary or permanent basis while they recover physically and financially.

“We are in a unique situation where we have a lot of work available and can help people get back on their feet,” said Mason Niederhauser, CFO of Clearline. “Offering these good paying jobs to those who are unemployed because of this tragedy just felt right."

Rounds Trucking in Idaho Falls, Idaho, has donated one of its vehicles and time to haul supplies or equipment to Houston. The company told the Idaho State Journal that it hopes to fill multiple trucks’ worth of donations. Rounds is accepting donations at the Cornerstone Assembly of God church at 5600 South Holmes, in Idaho Falls.