“Our partnership with this program is both an honor and a privilege,” said Larry Vannatta, Averitt’s regional vice president of sales for Texas. “Seeing the impact of our efforts is truly rewarding.”

A Team Effort to Uplift Morale

According to an Averitt press release, their associates rallied together across 17 facilities—primarily in Texas—and their corporate office to collect and prepare the holiday cards. The corporate office alone contributed more than 4,000 cards to the initiative. Ensuring no detail was missed, the cards were carefully organized, counted, and prepared to make certain they reached service members in time for the holidays.

This marks another chapter in Averitt’s long-standing collaboration with New Country 96.3 KSCS, a program designed to show appreciation and boost morale for service members during the festive season.

Driven by Purpose Beyond Cards

Averitt further demonstrated its commitment to giving back by pairing this initiative with a financial contribution to Averitt Cares for Kids, the company’s philanthropic organization. Averitt matched the time given by employees to the card program with a donation to the charity, which primarily supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Through initiatives like these, Averitt continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of military personnel and local communities alike, ensuring their holiday season is brighter and filled with appreciation.

Source: The Trucker

Image: Averitt

The post Averitt Spreads Holiday Cheer to Troops with 18,000+ Greeting Cards appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

A vibrant gathering welcomed the impressive 74-foot Sitka spruce, beautifully adorned with 10,000 ornaments crafted by students and community groups from Alaska. Before its arrival in Seattle, this iconic tree had been celebrated in Wrangell and Ketchikan and traversed a 900-mile sea route from the Tongass National Forest.

Bryan Sitko, Kenworth’s assistant general manager for operations, expressed, “Kenworth is headquartered in Washington state, employing more than 1,250 people locally, so this was a special opportunity for us to participate in this fantastic program that signifies unity and joy, and spreads holiday cheer across the country.”

Organized by the City of Renton, the event was the sole Washington state celebration during this tour. Attendees enjoyed a glimpse of the wrapped-up tree, delighting in food, music, and diverse holiday festivities. Distinguished speakers included Brandon Raille, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree lead, Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone, Congressman Adam Smith, and Bryan Sitko.

Adding excitement to the event was Kenworth’s SuperTruck 2 demonstrator vehicle. Displayed locally for the first time, this futuristic truck, built in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, has set new performance benchmarks. “Joining the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree at the Renton whistlestop event was Kenworth’s SuperTruck 2 demonstrator vehicle,” noted the company. Earlier this year, it achieved a remarkable 136% improvement in freight efficiency, earning the DOE Vehicle Technology Office Team Award.

Prior to the community celebration, a special preview was held for PACCAR employees at Kenworth’s Renton manufacturing facility. Employees had the chance to view the wrapped tree, autograph the trailer banner, and convey their well wishes for the 3,000-mile trip to Washington D.C.

The Kenworth T680 transporting the tree features a unique design honoring Alaska’s National Forests. It’s equipped with a 76-inch sleeper, PACCAR Powertrain, and real-time GPS tracking through Kenworth’s TruckTech+ technology, allowing the public to follow the tree’s journey via the Kenworth Tree Tracker 2024.

For the 11th year running, a Kenworth truck is poised to deliver the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, with a scheduled arrival on November 22 at the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. The tree lighting ceremony will occur in early December, signaling the start of the festive season.

For insights into Kenworth’s SuperTruck 2 advancements in fuel efficiency and emerging Class 8 vehicle technologies, visit Kenworth World’s Best Magazine.

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