KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF) will once again serve as the beneficiary of the annual Silent Auction at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), taking place March 26-28 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
“Last year’s Silent Auction was an incredible example of what happens when our industry comes together for drivers in need,” said Courtney Niemann, executive director of SCF. “The generosity we saw — from donated items to competitive bidding — directly translated into meaningful support for truckers and their families. We’re excited to bring that same energy back to MATS this year.”
Opening Night Reception and Silent Auction
Held during the MATS Opening Night Reception, the Silent Auction brings together industry leaders, exhibitors and attendees in support of SCF’s mission to provide financial assistance and health and wellness resources to professional truck drivers and their families during times of illness or injury.
This year’s MATS Opening Night Reception is sponsored by Triumph, a financial and technology company focused on modernizing and simplifying freight transactions.
“The event builds on the strong momentum of last year’s auction, which raised more than $13,500 for the nonprofit and drew enthusiastic participation from donors, bidders and volunteers across the trucking industry,” SCF said. “The Silent Auction will feature a wide range of unique items and experiences donated by industry partners, with all proceeds benefiting SCF.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to bid while enjoying the Opening Night Reception, which traditionally includes food, beverages, live entertainment and networking opportunities to kick off the show.
Standing Behind the Nation’s Drivers
“Owner-operators and professional drivers are the backbone of our nation’s supply chain, but they often don’t have a safety net when unexpected health issues arise” said Norita Taylor, SCF board president and director of public relations at OOIDA. “The Silent Auction at MATS is a powerful reminder that this industry stands behind its drivers. Every bid placed and every item donated helps ensure that professional drivers have somewhere to turn when illness or injury takes them off the road.”
SCF invites MATS exhibitors and partners to participate by donating auction items and encourages attendees to take part in bidding during the event. Additional details regarding auction items, sponsors and event logistics will be announced ahead of the show.
Mid-America Trucking Show and SCF
Now in its more than 50-year history, MATS is the largest annual gathering of the trucking industry, drawing thousands of industry professionals from across North 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. The SCF 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.
Click here more information about the Silent Auction and how to donate items for the auction.
To learn more how to support the SCF, 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.
