“Everyday Heroes” Kenworth T680 Will Once Again Be Auctioned Off to Support Truckers Against Trafficking
TOLLESON, AZ… In an effort to further educate and fund efforts against human trafficking, Inland Kenworth has once again put together a special “Everyday Heroes” Kenworth T680 with a very distinctive paint scheme and signage. The project, in conjunction with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), has received significant support from platinum sponsors Kenworth Truck Company, Inland Kenworth and Ritchie Bros., along with other leading industry suppliers.
The
Kenworth T680 Everyday Heroes truck will make its first public appearance at
TAT’s Everyday Heroes Truck press conference on January 15 at the National Mall
in Washington, D.C. From there, the truck will be displayed at the TMC 2019
Annual Meeting in Atlanta (March 18-21), Mid-America Trucking Show in
Louisville (March 28-30), and finally at Richie Bros., which will host the
auction of the TAT Kenworth T680 in Phoenix on May 17.
Proceeds
from the sale of the Kenworth T680, which has a retail value of $162,000, will
go directly to TAT – a 501(c)3 non-profit devoted to stopping human trafficking
by educating, mobilizing, and empowering the nation’s truck drivers and rest
stop employees. The special Kenworth T680 is fully loaded with a 76-inch
sleeper, 485-hp PACCAR MX-13 engine, and PACCAR 12-speed automated transmission.
Don
Blake, who serves as new truck sales manager at Inland Kenworth – Phoenix, is
again spearheading the effort. Blake said he’s been touched by the
industry support for the Everyday Heroes Truck. “This started out as an idea in
2017 that got rolling, and it was a great success. Now, the sponsors we’ve
worked with again are so supportive. It shows our industry’s true colors to
pull together to raise money for a great cause,” Blake said. “I’m especially
appreciative to Kenworth. When I reached out to see if they would be a
sponsor again, they were more than happy to help. Kenworth has been great to
work with, and in 2019, the T680 will have its own booth at TMC and the
Mid-America Trucking Show.
“Kenworth is a strong supporter of the efforts of Don Blake and Inland Kenworth
in this important project. Don’s involvement with Truckers Against Trafficking
is inspiring, and we look forward to a very successful fund-raising auction in
May,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director.
Even
with the auction still five months away, Blake is ahead of schedule with
signing sponsors at different sponsorship levels that help build the T680.
“Nearly every single company that donated in the 2017 auction has agreed to
sponsor the truck in 2019, and we’ve added new sponsors this year as well,”
said Blake. “There are many good companies willing to donate their time and
money to this great cause. When the auction is done, there will be an
owner with a special truck that is fitted with the best specs.”
Providing
support for the 2019 Everyday Heroes Kenworth T680 are Platinum Level: Kenworth Truck Company, Inland
Kenworth and Ritchie Bros; Gold Level: PACCAR Engine, SEG Automotive, and Swift
Charities; Silver Level: Bendix, Bridgestone, Eaton, FlowBelow, Horton, Jost,
Meritor, PACCAR Financial, PACCAR Parts, PeopleNet, Utility Trailer Sales of
Arizona, and WABCO; and Bronze Level: Alcoa, Arizona Rock Product Association,
Arizona Trucking Association, Beaver Stripes and Molding, Chevron, ConMet,
Davco, East Penn, Ex-Guard®, National Seats, PrePass / Help Inc,
Sheppard, and Tectran.
Blake’s
initiative to contribute to TAT’s efforts led to an expanded role with the
organization. “Don became a TAT board member shortly after the 2017
auction,” said Kendis Paris, executive director of Truckers Against
Trafficking. “Not only did we ask him to join the board due to his tremendous
work on the Everyday Heroes Truck, but because Don is a true TAT champion. He
believes deeply in the mission and enlists his resources and ideas.”
Through
his involvement as a TAT board member, Blake is scheduled to be the keynote
speaker at the Everyday Heroes Truck press conference. “I look forward to
speaking and plan to share my story on how a small group of people can make a
difference,” said Blake. “This organization means a lot to me. I have two
daughters, and I can’t imagine anyone being subjected to human trafficking.
There is a lot of work ahead to bring down this terrible crime, but I will
continue to do my part.”
“The resources that Don orchestrates on TATs behalf allow us to deliver on our
mission, which ultimately means more victims of human trafficking being
recovered,” said Paris. “Not only does Don inspire others to join our cause, he
inspires the TAT staff as well. He reminds us of the power of TAT champions and
what can be accomplished when a person is truly motivated.”
According
to Paris, truckers are making a big difference. In the United States alone,
profits from the crime of human trafficking are estimated to be worth $32
billion. “Each year, more truck drivers and truck stop operators are added to
the network of TAT trained and educated members – over 663,000 to date,” said
Paris. “They are our eyes and ears out on the road and are relied upon to
report suspicious activity.”
To
further its education, TAT has the Freedom Driver’s project – a mobile exhibit,
which educates members of the trucking industry. “Through the project, we are
able to educate more drivers each year,” said Paris. “They know how to identify
and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement, which is making a huge
impact towards generating human trafficking cases. Through the national hotline
(1-888-3737-888) operated by the National
Human Trafficking Hotline, 2,250 calls have been made by truckers
alone since the program began in 2009. So far, we’ve had more than 600 likely
human trafficking cases, involving over 1,100 victims ... many of whom are
minors.”
TAT
is paving the way in an effort to increase the public’s awareness about the
crime of human trafficking. In October 2018, a 15-person Advisory Committee on
Human Trafficking was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. TAT’s
Paris serves as one of the members. The committee’s goal is to develop
strategies for reporting trafficking and provide DOT-funded programs that will
tackle the growing issue. The committee held its first public meeting in early
December.
More
information is available on the TAT website (www.truckersagainsttrafficking.org).
Kenworth
is The Driver’s Truck™. See what drivers are saying at www.kenworth.com/drivers.