The Spirit joins the South Dakota Convoy and Truck Show for Special Olympics

OOIDA’s touring tractor-trailer heads up to Sioux Falls, S.D., to join the fun surrounding the South Dakota Convoy and Truck Show for Special Olympics.

When that fun is done, Jon Osburn plans to take the Spirit of the American Trucker to OOIDA’s 45thanniversary celebration anniversary of fighting for the rights of all truckers at the Guilty By Association Truck Show in Joplin, Mo.

Land Line Managing Editor Jami Jones plans to join Jon and The Spirit at Sioux Falls. She also plans to be part of the OOIDA contingent at GBATS.

The Spirit is scheduled Sept. 21-22 to be at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds in Sioux City, site of the 2018 Special Olympics Convoy.

After Jon Osburn and The Spirit leave South Dakota, they are scheduled Sept 27-29 to be at the Guilty By Association Truck Show in Joplin. It is Exit 44 off of I-44.

The World’s Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics takes place at several locations.

It started in 2001 as a local event in Florida. It has evolved into an international movement with annual convoys in more than 24 states and four provinces.

The South Dakota Convoy began in Sioux Falls and Rapid City in 2003.

The South Dakota Convoys, since 2003 have raised more than $629,000 for the South Dakota Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

To participate, truckers pay a $100 fee before or at registration. During the event, there are on-site auctions. One of the auction items is for the title of the Convoy’s Lead Truck. The Convoy also solicits corporate sponsors and community partners to contribute financially.

The stop before Sioux Falls for The Spirit was at BETO Junction at the crossing of I-35/U.S. Highway 50 and U.S. Highway 75 north of Burlington, Kan. There, Jon connected with a lot of bovine and swine haulers. He said he was able to help some of them respond to the federal request for comments on hours-of-service reform by providing a workspace and laptop computers.

Also, Jon investigated the cinnamon rolls at the BETO Junction TA Travel Center and said they were worthy of their good reputation.

Whenever you see The Spirit tour truck, go say hello to Jon. He enjoys visiting about the Association’s activities and current issues. You also can join or renew your OOIDA membership for $10 off the regular price there. Also, you can get vouchers for flu, shingles and pneumonia vaccines from Jon at The Spirit.