TravelCenters of America raised $63,300 for those affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by matching customer and employee contributions.

As an increasing number of professional drivers began looking for ways to help after the attacks, TA, which had already planned to make its own contribution, decided to combine its efforts with the contributions of its customers.
Employees and customers rallied to support victims in a host of ways. Three Country Pride servers at TA Wildwood, Fla. (I-75 at State Route 44) contributed their tips to the relief effort, raising more than $370.
TA Stony Ridge, Ohio, (I-80 and I-280) employees sold American flags donated by the county sheriff's office and laminated posters featuring the phrase "Truckers Pulling for America." "Drivers have big hearts, and wanted to show their patriotism," said John Latsko, general manager. "One driver who caught a glimpse of the first draft of the poster made some suggestions, which we incorporated into the final design."
Among the sites to generate the most in customer contributions was TA Columbia, N.J. (I-80 at Rt. 94), 70 miles outside of New York City. By month's end, many of the drivers who stop at the truckstop regularly ended up making two or three donations to the fund.
"Early on, drivers kept asking us where they could give," said TA Columbia General Manager Fred Sempf. "There were a lot of customers that were personally touched by the tragedy, including several drivers who shared stories of being stranded for days in New York City before making their way out of town."
The money was presented to the NATSO Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, which works with the American Red Cross, in support of the Sept. 11 victims.