Band Together campaign raises nearly $250K for trucking charity

The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund’s annual Band Together campaign generated nearly $250,000, according to a news release from TravelCenters of America.

Running from Aug. 15 through Sept. 30 at TA & Petro Stopping Centers nationwide, the Band Together campaign, along with raffles and other fundraisers throughout the year, received donations for the trucking charity totaling $244,849.80. The campaign provided wristbands, window clings and keychains to donors in exchange for contributions of $1 and $5.

The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity that helps truck drivers and their families when an illness or injury has caused them to be out of work.

“We are always honored to have the opportunity to help drivers in need,” Barry Richards, president of TravelCenters, said in a news release. “We know full well it’s the patronage of our customers and employees, year over year, that assist these efforts. We couldn’t be more proud and thankful to them for their ongoing support.”

As of July 2018, the trucking charity has helped more than 2,300 truck drivers and their families with monthly bills, including utilities and mortgages totaling $2.3 million. TravelCenters has been a supporter of the St. Christopher fund since 2010.

“I want to give thanks to TravelCenters for another year of Band Together,” said Donna Kennedy, executive director of the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund. “This campaign is such a great example of how easy it is for people to help people. We always love to see the generosity of drivers and employees.”