TravelCenters of America, operator of TA and Petro Stopping Centers, presented a BP Fueling Communities grant donation of $30,000 to The St. Christopher Truckers Development & Relief Fund.


TravelCenters, a BP Branded Marketer, nominated SCF to receive the grant for the second consecutive year. Fueling Communities provides grants to local organizations that are nominated by BP's Branded Marketers to support the communities where they do business.

TA and Petro customers and employees also have contributed $4,700 in additional donations. Professional drivers contributed nearly $2,000 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky., in March. TA dedicated a large section of its show booth to SCF, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to professional truck drivers whose medical problems have led to financial hardship. Employees of TravelCenters gave another $2,700 in donations through a variety of company events.

"We were very happy to hear that BP was continuing its Fueling Communities program this year," says Tom O'Brien, TravelCenters president and CEO. "Through TravelCenters' nominations, BP has donated a total of $60,000 over two years to SCF. These dollars are used to help truck drivers without health insurance, who are suffering financial hardship. BP's help allows us to provide even greater support to our customer base."

TravelCenters has provided support to the SCF since 2010. The company runs annual "Band Together for the SCF" fundraising campaigns, in addition to smaller collection efforts at trade shows and employee events throughout the year. TravelCenters has helped raise nearly $500,000 for the charity.

SCF provides financial support to professional drivers to put toward prescription medications, living expenses, and medical procedures.

"Our relationship with TravelCenters has made it possible for SCF to help more than 530 professional drivers since SCF began in 2007," said Donna Kennedy, executive director of SCF.

TravelCenters will have its SCF donation prize wheel at this year's Truckers' Jamboree at the TA in Walcott, Iowa, July 12-13, the Expedite Expo in Wilmington, Ohio, July 27-28 and the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas Aug. 23-25. Donations to the SCF can also be made directly at www.truckersfund.com.