In an attempt to maintain Guinness Book of World Record status, law enforcement and truckers throughout the United States and Canada will join forces to hold the World’s Largest Truck Convoy (WLTC), on September 15th. Interstate 64 and I-265 Expressway will be lined with an expected 100 or more trucks as they perform a convoy to celebrate their support of the athletes of Special Olympics.
The WLTC, is an international fundraising and awareness event that creates a unique partnership between law enforcement and truckers to raise funds for Special Olympics so they can continue to train in year-round sports activities. Officers involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics have made the WTLC one of their many annual signature events and will escort the Convoy participants. The event in will unite more than 2,000 truckers in 34 States and 3 Provinces, and raised nearly $550,000 in 2006.
“Special Olympics has a way of bringing everyone together, setting aside differences and building atmospheres of acceptance,” said John Launius. “The fact that Special Olympics can bring together law enforcement and truckers is a testament to how the athletes of Special Olympics are a true inspiration.”
The Kentucky leg of the World's Largest Truck Convoy is presented by Schneider National and hopes to attract at least 100 trucks this year that will traverse a 35 mile route that starts and ends at Southeast Christian Church where there will be a community celebration event hosted by Francene of 84 WHAS and the celebration includes live music by the Rivoli Revue, Mike Bush and the All Stars, and national recording artist and song writer Joey Holiday. Area athletes, families, and supporters will be on hand to help share a community wide message that says "Thank you for your support of Special Olympics athletes and for keeping our community moving!"
The WLTC was conceived in 2001 by Corp. Norm Schneiderhan special project coordinator for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Schneiderhan, who drove a truck for about three years in his father’s trucking company before he entered the field of law enforcement, launched the event for Special Olympics as a way to call attention to the organization among truckers.
Trucking companies and truckers who want to participate in this year’s WLTC event can download and complete the attached Registration Form for Kentucky's WLTC. The minimum donation to participate in the convoy is $100 per truck and any semis, truck/trailer combinations, large trucks, low boys, flat beds or box trucks 10 GVW can participate. Each participating driver will receive a goody bag with souvenir WLTC T-shirt, hat and lunch at the event. Trucking companies in Kentucky will be invited to bid additional funds in a live auction hosted by Francene of 84 WHAS to earn coveted VIP spots at the start of the convoy or to serve as the tail truck. Registration will be open on Friday September 14th from 5 pm - 10 pm for any trucks laying over in the lot at Southeast. On September 15th the date for the convoy registration will be open from 7am- 8:45 am. The Convoy will depart at 9 am on Saturday September 15th and the trucks will return to the lot at Southeast for the community celebration and lunch.
Everyone is invited to attend the event at the Southeast Christian Church parking lot located at 920 Blankenbaker at I 64. There will be law enforcement specialty unit static displays and show trucks to view and concessions will be available. For more information about the Convoy, contact John Launius at 326-5002 or 800-633-7403 or via e-mail at jlaunius@soky.org.
The first Kentucky edition of The World's Largest Truck Convoy, held in Louisville on Saturday, Sept. 16, proved to be a tremendous success. The event brought together 50 truckers who combined to raise $15,000 for Special Olympics Kentucky programs — well ahead of projections for the inaugural event.
Longtime Special Olympics supporter Mercer Transportation was among the companies who made tremendous contributions to the World's Largest Truck Convoy. Mercer was the winning bidder to be the Convoy's lead truck in its inaugural year, winning the honor with a bid of $1,600.
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A Mercer Transportation truck takes the lead as the
World's Largest Truck Convoy heads out of the
Southeast Christian parking lot. |
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Trucks began filling the parking lot at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville on Friday, Sept. 12, well ahead of the Saturday morning scheduled start of the Convoy. Among the people on had Friday Night was popular radio host "Bubba Bo" from XM Satellite Radio 173 (WLW) who originated his Friday night broadcast from the church. Many of the drivers who participated in the event stopped off after hearing the broadcast and stayed until morning.
Saturday morning saw Mercer Transportation post its winning bid before the trucks rolled out. The truckers completed a 37-mile loop that included I-64, I-265, I-65 and I-264 before returning to Southeast Christian for lunch. The trucks were escorted through the entire route by officers from Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement, Louisville Metro Police and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Kentucky Department of Probation and Parole officers were also on hand to help out with the day.
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Thanks to all the truckers who took part in the first
Kentucky World's Largest Truck Convoy. |
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Special Olympics would like to thank everyone who helped make the World's Largest Truck Convoy a success — "Maverick" and "Road Boss" who helped recruit trucks; Lee Webb of Idlebuster who helped supply food; XM 173 (WLW) and Bubba Bo; All of the truck drivers; Southeast Christian Church and Special Olympics Kentucky year-round partner Texas Roadhouse who provided food and helped with the cooking on Saturday.
See more Photos!
For information about how your company can participate in the 2007 World's Largest Truck Convoy, contact Special Olympics Kentucky Special Projects Coordinator John Launius at 800-633-7403 or via e-mail at jlaunius@soky.org. Types of trucks that are eligible include: Semi-trucks, truck/trailer combinations, large trucks, low-boys, dump trucks, flat beds,
buses, large tow trucks, large box trucks, etc. All trucks entering the convoy must be of
10-GVW or larger.
