The World’s Largest Truck Convoy at Hoffman Estates on Aug. 29 at the Sears Centre was a huge success with 67 trucks participating raising more than $19,000 for the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.
If you weren’t able to join the fun in August, another Truck Convoy will be Oct. 10 at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park. That convoy, in its 11th year, will travel 22 miles along I-80 and I-57 before returning to the starting location, where for a celebration with Special Olympics athletes, families, the community and law enforcement.
Tony Schmidt, President of Mr. Bult’s Inc., has participated in the Truck Convoy since 2005 when it began in Tinley Park. This year, he also participated in the Hoffman Estates event. “This is the one day in the year that trucking and law enforcement are pulling the same rope in the same direction. We are all just doing something to help a great cause,” he said.
When asked what keeps him coming back to this event, Tony said “The smiles on the athletes’ faces. I know they appreciate it. That is one day of the year I always go to sleep feeling good.”
“I want to see a convoy of over 300 trucks,” Tony said. “The trucking community is huge around here. If everyone who was at the Convoy last year brought one more participant, we would have well over 200 trucks. Bring two or more and you see where it goes. Surely we can all find a friend or two or more that can join in. The day we fill the parking lot with trucks will be a happy day.”
To register for the Tinley Park Truck Convoy, contact Katie Herriott at 309-533-3725.