“Go in a truck they said. It will be fun they said.” What they didn’t say was that it would be an amazing showmanship of pride and excitement like no other. as you drive 50 km in a convoy of over 170 #BigRig trucks all while allowing you to witness hundreds of people lining the streets with signs, lawn chairs and children waving so excitingly that you can’t help but put your arm out the window and wave back like you were five years old all over again you can’t help but smile.
As the Event Planner you don’t often get to experience the essence of what you are organizing because you are always busy making sure your guests are having a great time, your sponsors are happy and that your volunteers know their role in making your event a success. Well in September of 2015, thanks to Gary Hunt from Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association, this event planner got to witness what makes the Truck Convoy for Nova Scotia, #BigRigs, #BigHearts, #BigResults the best and largest fundraising convoy in Canada.
On September 24th, we will celebrate the 5th anniversary of this event in Nova Scotia thanks to the support of partners like Irving Oil, Diesel Spec, DND Shearwater, East Coast International, Hull Transport, Nova Truck Centres, Wolseley Canada, Fisher Transport; Leading Edge Excavation and Trucking, Clearwater, MacLeod Lorway Insurance Group, Work Authority, NSTSA, THRSC, Savlatore Insurance and Subway and our fabulous media sponsors CTV, Auto and Trucking Atlantic, Chrome and Steele Radio, Canadian Trucking Magazine, and Seaside FM.
As part of our 5th year celebrations we are pleased to welcome Mr @DarrellWard from Ice Road Truckers as our convoy marshal to the event. Darrell Ward’s television career skyrocketed when he filmed a truck driving stunt on Montana’s Beartooth Pass in 2010. Since then, he has become a star and fan favorite of the History Channel’s TV show, Ice Road Truckers. With 35 years’ experience of extreme driving conditions, Darrell is a fearless and tireless driver who can conquer any load on any road. Holding the World’s Record for driving the longest ice road is just one of his many accomplishments. Darrell also regularly works alongside the United States Forestry Department in quenching forest fires, and routinely works in North Dakota performing environmental cleanups.
Participants of this year’s event can once again look forward to another day of showing off their #BigRigs “ We are excited to be planning some special 5th year anniversary surprises to our day to thank and acknowledge those who have helped us reach this milestone. Being a part of the World’s Largest Truck Convoy family has brought an event to our city that showcases the true spirit of the trucking industry to our community. We have helped to forge better relationships with drivers and the Law Enforcement community, and we have helped people without a disability to accept those with a disability like they have never done before. All while helping to build stronger communities”, says Anne Marie Shannon, Director of Events and Communications, Special Olympics Nova Scotia.
But the true heart of the event is our drivers and their companies. Each year they continue to show their support for the event with polished trucks, smiling children, and pledges. All for a common goal of helping athletes with an intellectual disability compete in sport. Over the past four years we have raised in excess of $180,000 that has had a direct impact on what we have been able to accomplish. This past March we sent a team of athletes and coaches to compete at National Games in NFLD resulting in five athletes and one coach being selected to Team Canada in Austria in 2017. Beyond sport, we are proud to be leaders in advocacy for people with a disability, supporters of leadership with our Athlete Leadership Program and resources for healthy, happy lifestyles from the inside out. If you know someone who is aged 2 and up that could benefit from being a part of a wonderful organization, please look us up.
Truckers register to be part of the convoy and raise pledges in support of Special Olympic athletes. Pledging is the key to the fundraising arm of this event. Last year 39 of the 172 drivers collected over almost $27,000 in pledges. This year we are hoping to see that number rise. If every driver collected $500 in pledges, t
hat number could rise to $100,000. To help encourage drives to collect pledges we will be offering some great incentives as well as one large grand prize that will be the envy of all the drivers. We encourage you to think about collecting pledges so you can have a chance to win! Our congratulations to Leonard Wilson from TDR Transport who won lead truck last year by collecting the most pledges as well as Team Bluewater for winning top team fundraiser. Top team will receive a private visit this year from our Convoy Marshal Darrel Ward prior to the event.
Registration is now open and lots of exciting things are happening on our Facebook group. To obtain your registration forms, please visit our website at https://www.truckconvoyns.ca/drive/register/ or call our office at (902) 429-2266 x 2.