CFI Employees Support 19 Charities with over $41,000 in Donations in 26th Annual Truckloads of Treasures Holiday Giving Campaign
JOPLIN, MO — December 10, 2019 — Employees of CFI, an operating company of TFI International Inc. (TSX: TFII, OTCQX: TFIFF), a North American leader in the transportation and logistics industry, supported 15 charitable organizations serving thousands of individuals in eight cities across the U.S., Mexico and Canada during CFI’s annual holiday giving campaign.
A longstanding tradition established in 1993 and unique to CFI’s family-friendly culture, Truckloads of Treasures starts in August with a seven-week raffle ticket fundraiser. CFI hosts activities throughout the year including book fairs to raise funds. Festivities accelerate in the fall with crowd favorites including “crock pot chaos”, a chili cook off, a silent auction and an ugly sweater contest. The event culminates in shopping sprees across North America to benefit children and elderly in need during the holidays, typically during the first week of December. Over the 26 years of the program’s existence, CFI employees have donated over $880,000 with annual goals of raising $40,000. CFI has some 3,000 employees and independent contractors.
“This is one of the most inspiring events of the year for our company, our employees and the communities in which we live and work,” said Greg Orr, President CFI. “Our employees embrace giving back, engaging with our communities to help those underserved and less fortunate. I’m extremely proud of our employees, and I appreciate the spirit, joy and commitment they bring to this campaign every year to help meaningful charities in Joplin and across North America.”
The campaign supported nine charities in CFI’s headquarters of Joplin, MO. Earlier this month, some 200 CFI employees participated in the annual “Shopping Spree” at the Joplin Wal-Mart. Employees purchased over $21,000 in gifts and needed supplies, based on lists of items submitted by some 300 local underserved children and seniors identified by the Salvation Army.
At the Shopping Spree, the company also presented checks to local Joplin charities. “All funds from Truckloads of Treasures are donated by CFI employees and Independent Contractors, reflecting strong support across our CFI family. Our terminals across North America select local charities to reach the communities in which they live and work,” said Orr. Those local charities include The Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club, Area Agency on Aging, Camp Quality, Children’s Haven, The Ronald McDonald House, Pro Musica and Art Feeds. Other charities benefiting from Truckloads of Treasures include Bethany House, CASA of Crittenden, Cáritas de Monterrey A.B.P., Asociación Programa Lazos IAP and Southlake General Hospital Foundation, Newmarket, ON. “With the parameters of supporting children and elderly in need, we find our terminals have long-standing partnerships with charities that have come to depend on our support,” said Orr.
Donations were raised through a company-wide raffle with prizes including gift cards for retailers such as Target, Best Buy, Lowe’s, Sam’s Club, Bass Pro Shops and Academy Sports and Outdoors, as well as other prizes. All prizes were purchased and donated by CFI’s executive management team. The raffle also included two special drawings awarding one- and two-weeks paid time off. Additional funds were raised through bake sales, a chili cook-off, book fairs and separate auctions of locally-donated prizes.
In addition, employees partnered with service organizations throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada to provide holiday gifts and food for underserved children and senior citizens.
Throughout the year CFI places an emphasis on charities with ties to military veterans, first responders, the transportation industry, empowering women and education. The company’s support goes beyond monetary donations and includes volunteering and support for events.
Some examples include a monthly dinner CFI sponsors at the Ronald McDonald house. Another annual favorite is a Wreaths Ride to support Wreaths Across America. Company employees who are avid motorcycle enthusiasts also support charitable causes by joining convoys that ride with CFI’s specially-wrapped theme trucks. The trucks with their customized graphic “wraps” honor our troops, professional women truck drivers and first responders.
This year, following the devastating tornadoes in the Midwest, CFI also made a special contribution to first responder organizations, providing a $100,000 grant which was used by local agencies in four states to meet specific needs for firefighting and rescue equipment.
Holidays offer another opportunity to support communities, with CFI employees participating in food donation drives. The trucking industry also has a unique opportunity to donate in-kind services with the gift of transportation. Since 2015, CFI has been a proud national sponsor of Holy Joe’s Café, which supplies donated coffee to our troops in over 70 countries. The company donates between $50,000 and $100,000 a year of in-kind transportation, moving coffee supplies to military bases in the continental U.S., which are then shipped to soldiers overseas to give them a small taste of home.
“As a responsible employer, it is important to demonstrate you’re a good citizen of the community,” said Orr. “We recognize that those cities and towns in which CFI employees live and work need support, often for critical services that only charities can provide. We have a culture that embraces giving back to those who may be less fortunate, and we take pride in supporting important charitable endeavors. We believe we have the best employees and Independent Contractors in the industry, a quality which is reinforced every year when we have the opportunity to give back,” added Orr.
Since inception, Truckloads of Treasures has raised over $880,000 for local charities.
The full list of charities supported by CFI in 2019 is below:
Location Charity/Organization Amount
Worldwide Holy Joe’s Cafe All-volunteer non-profit that sends donated Keurig Green Mountain coffee to U.S. troops and stations in 70 countries. In-kind full year total $100,000
USA Wreaths Across America Mission to remember fallen US veterans, honor those who serve and teach children the value of freedom.
USA Special Olympics Provides year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. $2,500
USA Truckers Against Trafficking Nonprofit organization that trains trucks drivers to recognize and report instances of human trafficking. $5,000
Midwest First responders A “first responder” fleet of water rescue boats and other equipment to area firefighting, highway patrol and police departments.$100,000
Joplin All Kids Bike Funded Irving Joplin public school to join the full 11 area schools for a biking program to teach kindergartners bikes and bike safety $3,000
Midwest Peterson Outdoor Ministries Outdoor recreational therapy for injured and recovering veterans and their families as well as youth and adults with disabilities or serious illness. $500
Laredo Bethany House Feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, the only charity of its kind in the area. $2,600
West Memphis CASA of Crittenden CO AR Provide a voice for abused, neglected and dependent children in the court process and advocate for their best interests through use of trained volunteers. $2,600
Taylor Salvation Army Back-to-school fundraisers, Christmas charity, and disaster relief are just a few of their supported programs. $2,600
Dallas Wilmer’s Initiative to Spread Hope “WISH” Provide new toys and clothing to children under age 12 during the holidays through the City of Wilmer. $2,600
Mexico
Monterrey Cáritas de Monterrey A.B.P. Provide social services and community development. $1,800
Mexico City Asociación Programa Lazos IAP Support education of children by strengthening schools. $1,800
Guadalajara: Amisadac A.C. Mission is to train and give home to young people with some type of intellectual disability to improve their personal and social autonomy. $1,800
Canada
Southlake General Hospital Foundation- Newmarket, ON Donor support maintains safe, fast and higher-quality healthcare. $1,000
Joplin
Salvation Army (Shopping Spree)Specifically donating to 250 children and 100 seniors in need. $21,000
Art Feeds Provide therapeutic art and creative education programs within schools and children’s organizations. $750
Ronald McDonald House of the Four States Provide a ‘home away from home’ for families of seriously ill children (0-18) and ill expectant mothers being treated at Freeman Health System and Mercy Hospital. $750
Children’s Haven Children can stay for a short time during crisis. This could include loss of home, emergency medical stays, lack of utilities or food, drug or alcohol rehabilitation of a parent or caregiver. $750
Area Agency on Aging Region X Provide food, programs and information to assist older persons in maintaining their independence and dignity. $750
Pro Musica Music-based educational outreach and enrichment to local schools. $750
Camp Quality Summer camping experience and year-round support program for children with cancer.$750City of DuquesneA new park for the city of Duquesne that was previously affected by a tornado. Funds will help plant trees, insert park benches, picnic tables, playground and memorial. $300
Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Missouri A low-cost safe and nurturing environment for youth ages 6-18 with after school and summer programs, including meals.