Truckloads of Treasures

CFI driver Greg Shaw (left) and terminal manager Patrick Meilinger presented a check to Sheila Petta, mayor of Wilmer, Texas, for the city’s WISH (Wilmer Initiative to Spread Hope) program, which provides Christmas gifts to underprivileged children. (Courtesy: CFI)

By Reagan Payne

The trucking industry does much more than just deliver gifts to locations anxiously awaiting their arrival. Companies dove into their own pockets this holiday to support charities of all kinds.

CFI is perhaps one of the most notable of them all. In nearly 30 years, the company funneled almost a million dollars into its annual Truckloads of Treasures holiday giving campaign. This year alone, the company supplied more than $40,000 across 20 worthy charities.

Hitting close to home, the Joplin-based truck company donated to several organizations local to the area. Joplin Humane Society and Salvation Army are just two of the nearby recipients.

Two hundred CFI employees partook in a $21,000 shopping spree at the Joplin Walmart. This satisfied the needs of 300 underserved children and seniors identified by the local Salvation Army.

Reach

Efforts reach all across North America, making an impact in a big way. Several of the organizations are local to Mexico.

Holy Joe’s Cafe is a long-time recipient of this campaign. This organization donates coffee to troops in more than 70 countries making this effort an intercontinental one.

CFI did a wonderful job making sure the campaign’s efforts reached many different types of worthy causes, from veterans to children’s art programs, as well as locations.

Due to surging COVID-19 concerns, the company’s fundraising efforts looked a little different this year. The usual bake sales and chili cook-offs turned into a virtual raffle platform. CFI’s executive management team purchased and donated each of the raffle prizes.

“We extended Truckloads of Treasures to a 10-week raffle ticket fundraiser and silent auctions,” said Greg Orr, president of CFI. “I could not be more proud of our associates and their spirit of giving back to support important community charitable efforts, and in particular, direct support for those who are less fortunate.

“If there was ever a year in which we needed to come together over the holidays and bring a little joy, this is the year.”

Reagan Payne is a staff writer for Wright Media. She can be reached at rpayne@wrightmediacorp.com

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