KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF) is announcing it raised more than $10,000 during the 2026 Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), thanks to strong participation from industry volunteers in its annual Silent Auction and generous donations collected at its booth throughout the show, including a donation back to SCF of 50/50 winnings from professional driver Steve Jones.
“This year’s response from the industry was incredible,” said Courtney Niemann, executive director of SCF. “From auction donors and bidders to those who stopped by our booth to contribute and our corporate partners, the level of generosity we saw at MATS speaks volumes about how deeply this community cares for its drivers. Every dollar raised helps us provide critical support to truckers and their families during some of the most challenging times in their lives.”
MATS and SCF
MATS once again brought together thousands of trucking professionals, exhibitors, and industry partners, many of whom played a role in supporting SCF’s mission to provide financial assistance and health and wellness resources to over-the-road drivers facing illness or injury.
A centerpiece of the fundraising effort was the annual Silent Auction, hosted during the MATS Opening Night Reception, which was sponsored by Triumph. The event featured a wide range of donated items and experiences, drawing enthusiastic bidding from attendees and reinforcing the trucking community’s commitment to its drivers.
In addition to the auction, SCF collected donations directly from attendees and exhibitors at its booth throughout the three-day show, including a prize wheel donated by Konexial and Progressive Insurance, further contributing to the overall fundraising total. Additional donations were also made by corporate partners and sponsors.
A Safety Net for Truckers
“Professional drivers are essential to keeping our country running, yet many lack a safety net when unexpected health issues arise,” said Norita Taylor, SCF board president and communications strategist at OOIDA. “The success of this year’s
fundraising efforts at MATS shows what’s possible when our industry rallies together to support those who keep America moving. We’d also like to thank the organizers of the Mid-American Trucking Show for their support.”
SCF would like to recognize the following partners and sponsors for their support at MATS 2026:
- AgroEcoPower
- Alen Lund
- Aeroserve Technologies
- ArcBest
- American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI)
- Bennett Family of Companies
- Big Truck Pics
- Brenny Transportation
- Bruce Richard
- C.H. Robinson
- DAT Freight & Analytics
- DC Power Solutions
- EAB Strategies, LLC
- Gord Magill
- Howes Products
- Jim Brandt Collector Trucks/Truck Hobby
- Konexial Inc.
- Logistics Lounge
- Lubrication Specialties
- Milestone Leasing Nationwide Trailers
- Movin’ Out
- Mudflap Inc.
- OOIDA
- Patriot Shavers
- Progressive Insurance
- ProMiles
- Road Dog Care Company
- SAPP Bros. Inc.
- Sea Foam Sales Company
- Shell Rotella
- SIR Savill’s Ideal Rubs
- Ten Four Truck Insurance
- Travel Centers of America
- Temper Axle Products Corporation
- Torque Tight
- Truck Parking Club
- Uniden America Corporation
- Wreaths Across America
The SCF is the only nationwide nonprofit that provides short-term relief to Class A OTR drivers suffering from an illness or injury that took them out of work within the last 365 days. It also provides several free prevention health and wellness programs for OTR drivers in an effort to keep them on the road, including nicotine cessation, diabetes prevention, chronic disease management, at-home cancer screenings and vaccine vouchers.
To learn more how to support the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, please contact Diane Hutsell, director of philanthropy at [email protected].
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
