Convoy for a cause

Truckers took to the highways of Rhode Island to help raise money for a great cause, Special Olympics.

The third annual Torch Run Truck Convoy for Special Olympics Rhode Island took place on May 22. Around 45 trucks from over 30 companies participated in the fundraising event. A number of Special Olympics athletes were on hand selling raffle tickets, greeting truckers and cheering them on as the convoy rolled out.

According to the organization’s website, the annual event is a “national one-day celebration of the trucking industry, its allied partners, and law enforcement all working together to help raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics and their amazing athletes.”

The event was co-hosted by Special Olympics Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Trucking Association and multiple state enforcement agencies. The convoy began at the International Game Technology headquarters parking lot in West Greenwich, R.I. Led by an escort of 20 police motorcycles, the convoy drove up I-95 to Route 146 through Providence and returned to West Greenwich via Route 95.

According to Tracy Garabedian, senior director of special events for Special Olympics Rhode Island, the money generated by the convoy benefits the organization’s year-round programs of sports training and athletic competitions, particularly the upcoming Summer Games at the University of Rhode Island.

This year marks the return of the Summer Games, which have been canceled the past two years due to COVID-19.

“The convoy is important to our fundraising efforts because there are still fundraisers we are not doing because of COVID,” Garabedian said. “We are still not hosting any large scale, indoor events, such as our gala. So that leaves some holes in our budget that need to be filled, and this event was a big help with that.”

Garabedian said the revenue generated from this year’s event, around $13,000, is double what they raised with last year’s convoy.

“We hope to continue to grow each year by maybe adding a classic car show, vendors and other family friendly activities,” she said. LL