KIRKLAND, Wash., March 20, 2019 – The Kenworth “Everyday Heroes” T680 will make an appearance at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) as part of its five-month long road tour before it is auctioned for sale, with proceeds going to Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT). The 501(c)3 non-profit organization is devoted to stop human trafficking by educating, mobilizing, and empowering the nation’s truck drivers and rest stop employees.
The special Kenworth T680 will be displayed in the hallway outside the South Wing of the Kentucky Expo Center during the truck show March 28-30 in Louisville. TAT staff will provide information about the program in the Kenworth booth (#30215). Since TAT’s founding in 2009, over 680,000 people have become TAT educated and trained. With more than 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States alone, drivers are considered the eyes and ears of the road.
“The Mid-America Trucking Show provides an excellent opportunity to generate awareness among owner-operators and truck operators about the important mission and dedicated efforts of Truckers Against Trafficking to end the crime of human trafficking,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director.
The Kenworth T680 Everyday Heroes truck is fully loaded with a 76-inch sleeper, and features the PACCAR Powertrain with a PACCAR MX-13 485-hp engine, PACCAR 12-speed automated transmission, and PACCAR 40K tandem rear axles. The T680 will be auctioned on May 17 at Ritchie Bros. in Phoenix. Proceeds from the sale of the truck, which has a retail value of $162,000, will go directly to TAT.
Don Blake, new truck sales manager at Inland Kenworth – Phoenix, is spearheading the industry fundraising effort for the special truck in conjunction with Truckers Against Trafficking.
“Truck drivers have an incredible opportunity to bring down the perpetrators of human trafficking,” said Blake. “Our hope is that through events like Mid-America, we can generate as much awareness about the TAT program and inform owner-operators and fleets about the opportunity to own a fully loaded Kenworth T680 with the proceeds going to help such a worthy cause. I believe this year’s auction will be very successful, and that we will be able to generate a significant donation for TAT.”
Providing industry support for the Everyday Heroes Kenworth T680 are:
Platinum Level: Kenworth Truck Company, Inland Kenworth and Ritchie Bros.
Gold Level: PACCAR Engine, SEG Automotive, and Swift Charities.
Silver Level: Bendix, Bridgestone, Eaton, FlowBelow, Horton, Jost, Meritor, PACCAR Financial, PACCAR Parts, Trimble, Utility Trailer Sales of Arizona, and WABCO.
Bronze Level: Alcoa, Arizona Rock Product Association, Arizona Trucking Association, Beaver Stripes and Molding, Chevron, ConMet, Davco, East Penn, Ex-Guard®, National Seats, PrePass / Help Inc, Sheppard, and Tectran.
