Everyday Heroes truck auction raises $162,000 for Truckers Against Trafficking

The auction for the Everyday Heroes Kenworth T680 brought in $162,000 for Truckers Against Trafficking, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to stopping human trafficking by educating, mobilizing and empowering the nation’s truck drivers and rest stop employees.

Stewart Transport, a Phoenix-based trucking company, placed the winning bid earlier this month at an auction by Ritchie Bros. in Phoenix.

The $162,000 donation nearly doubled the previous donation Truckers Against Trafficking received from the 2017 “Everyday Heroes” Kenworth T680 auction, which netted $83,000. Kendis Paris, executive director for Truckers Against Trafficking, said the donation is the largest one-time gift in the organization’s history.

“The industry again showed its generosity by coming together to support Truckers Against Trafficking and its important work,” Paris said in a news release. “The funds will be used to expand our work within the trucking industry and further our partnerships with law enforcement, additional modes of transportation and multiple countries, in the fight against human trafficking.”

The truck, which has a retail value of $162,000, is fully loaded with a 76-inch sleeper and features the Paccar Powertrain with a Paccar MX-13 485 horsepower engine, Paccar 12-speed automated transmission, and Paccar 40K tandem rear axles.

The idea for auctioning the truck to generate money for Trucking Against Trafficking came from Don Blake, truck sales manager at Inland Kenworth in Phoenix.

“Don is an excellent example of making a difference by putting his heart into something he cares about,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “He is truly an inspiration to all of us, and an excellent representative of Inland Kenworth and the Kenworth dealer network. This auction showed how the industry can pull together to make a difference and support the fight against human trafficking.”