Following up on a pledge to help stem the flow of human trafficking, TravelCenters of America has donated $112,946 to Truckers Against Trafficking.

In partnership with its vendor partner, High Noon Sales, TA-branded travel stores sold Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) logo'd merchandise during the months of January and February 2019 (National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month). With one dollar from every item of TAT merchandise sold, the goal was to contribute $100,000 to TAT to support their work. 

The presentation was made during the Mid-American Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky.

On had for the presentation was Tom Newbould, senior vice president for stores at TA Petro.

"We are excited about being able to help the Truckers Against Trafficking cause," he said. "We were the first major truck stop chain to partner with and help with this very worthwhile cause. A lot of the credit goes to our vendor partner, High Noon Sales. It was a joint effort."

Justin Hoffman, High Noon Sales' vice president of sales and Marketing also participated in the check hand off to TAT. High Noon Sales provides unique products and merchandising solutions to convenience stores, travel centers, and other specialty retailers.

"We were thrilled to be able to partner with TA to raise funds for Truckers Against Trafficking. And we’re proud that our merchandise was selected for the campaign," he said. "We gladly matched the contribution that TA made."

Accepting the check on behalf of Truckers against Trafficking was Helen Van Dam, TAT's Freedom Drivers project director. 

"TA Petro's work demonstrates why the trucking industry is a critical player in the role that helps ends human trafficking," she said. "The trucking industry is the front runner in the battle against human trafficking. It's the fastest growing industry calling into the national human trafficking hotline number. Truckers have made more than 2,200 calls which has led to the identification of over 1,100 potential victims. That shows that when trained and equipped to do something about it, truckers can make a critical impact. This leads to lives changed."

Truckers Against Trafficking is a non-profit organization that trains truck drivers to recognize and report instances of human trafficking. This national organization was formed in 2009 and teaches truck drivers about the results of human trafficking. 

TA has partnered with Truckers Against Trafficking since 2011.