Mack Trucks Inc. and Mack dealers from around the country joined forces to raise $150,000 for the USO
(United Service Organizations) and its programs in support of U.S. service personnel and their families.
The money was raised through a special auction of six Mack trucks that were loaned to New York City for use in the round-the-clock cleanup efforts at the World Trade Center site. Each of the six vehicles - one CL700 series chassis and five Granite series trucks with demolition dump bodies - carries a commemorative patriotic emblem under the Mack Bulldog hood ornament to recognize six months of service at "Ground Zero" following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
The auction was held June 20 at the Jamaica, N.Y., headquarters of Gabrielli Mack Sales & Service. Host dealer principals Armando and Amedeo Gabrielli provided winning bids on two of the Granite series Ground Zero trucks. Other Mack dealers with winning bids included: Todd Brown of Brown's Hunterdon Mack Sales & Service, Lebanon, N.J.; Pat McMahon of Mack Truck Sales of Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C.; Bob Nuss of Mack Trucks of Rochester,.Rochester, Minn.; · and Jon Pritchett of Nextran Truck Center of Jacksonville, Fla.
Mack president and CEO Paul Vikner told the auction audience that the loaning of the trucks was part of the company's response to help New York in the wake of Sept. 11. "When the trucks finished their service and were returned to us, we saw an opportunity to help the USO in serving those who are protecting and defending our freedoms," Vikner said.
"It also allowed us to include our dealers in our relief efforts, and they have responded with enormous generosity. This was a very special day for the Mack organization, and one that makes me especially proud to be associated with this outstanding group of dealers," Vikner said.
Hook Up, a Joplin, Mo.-based company that transports new Mack trucks to dealers and customers, also donated its services and will deliver all of the auctioned trucks free of charge to each of the buyers.
The president and CEO of the USO, the Honorable Edward A. Powell, represented his organization at the auction, and praised the generosity of the company and its dealers for their participation. "This exceptional donation will help the USO expand its efforts to serve military members and their families around the world," he said.
"Since last fall, the USO has seen an enormous increase in the demand for outreach, care and entertainment programs that remind service members that the people of the United States remember their defenders," Powell added.
Participating in the truck auction were Mack dealers from 13 states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Minnesota, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Tennessee. Attendees also were given an opportunity to tour the Ground Zero site in Manhattan, and to hear about the aftermath of Sept. 11 from New York City Deputy Fire Commissioner Tom Fitzpatrick and NYC Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Leon Heyward.