Texas trucking and moving deliver critical water to hospitals and charitable organizations through national partnership
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION—February 23, 2021
TXTA Contact: Kimberly Leggett
kimberly@texastrucking.com
ATA/TMAF Contact: Elisabeth Barna
ebarna@trucking.org
Texas Trucking Association (TXTA) and Southwest Movers Association (SMA), Texas based advocacy groups, have partnered with American Trucking Associations (ATA), the Trucking Cares Foundation (TCF) and Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF), the industry-wide education and image movement, to coordinate relief efforts across Texas.
Over the next few days, truckloads of water will be delivered to communities in critical need due to the impact of the unprecedented winter weather.
“In times of hardship, the trucking industry always has and always will answer the call to help,” said TXTA President & CEO/SMA Executive Director John D. Esparza. “Whether keeping the economy moving, delivering daily necessities or providing relief during these catastrophic events, trucks are always rolling, many times stepping away from their own needs to serve others.”
The critical water deliveries will be made by ATA’s Share the Road, Workforce Heroes and America’s Road Team trucks. TXTA is part of a relief network that connects companies with communities impacted by disaster. The associations worked hand in hand to ensure that national and local businesses are able to participate and provide support during this relief effort for Texas.
Each truckload will hold about 20 pallets of water—equally about 40,000 pounds of water. The bottled water filling these trucks was donated with financial support from the trucking industry, as well as additional individuals who have donated through the online donation form. Throughout the week, the trucks are scheduled to make deliveries to hospital systems and charitable organizations in Austin, Houston and Waco—with additional locations being added over the next few days.
Trucking is the epitome of an “essential” industry, employing more than 700,000 people in Texas and responsible for delivering 82.1 percent of goods to communities that rely solely on trucks. Eighty-eight percent of trucking businesses in Texas are family-owned—mom and pop shops working hard to contribute to a reliable supply chain.
“This has been a significant year for the trucking industry as their essentiality has become evident to Americans in the delivery of vaccines, water, toilet paper, medical supplies and the list goes on and on,” said Esparza. “An industry that is frequently called upon in times of crisis is once again answering the call by delivering water to Texas communities in dire need of water supplies.”
Those interested in helping Texans impacted and supporting these coordinated efforts can make a financial donation to Trucking Moves America Forward at http://www.trucking.org/water4Texas.
Texas Trucking Association is a trade organization dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of its members by advocating sound public policies, providing excellence in education, training, and information, and promoting a safe, dependable, and cost-effective motor transportation system to better serve the people of Texas. Follow TXTA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. To learn more, visit www.texastrucking.com.
Southwest Movers Association, a non-profit trade association founded in 1917, represents a membership of professional moving companies throughout the state of Texas. The association is dedicated to promoting a safe and reliable moving industry that includes adherence to state laws and ethical standards. Follow SMA on Facebook and Twitter. To learn more, visit www.mytexasmover.com.
American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. To learn more, visit www.trucking.org.