Averitt associates and customers have once again come together to bring smiles to the faces of children under the care of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Through an annual toy drive, the team has made a meaningful impact for the fifth consecutive year.
“Providing St. Jude with resources of their choosing based on the need of the kids has been such a rewarding experience,” shared Jeff Edwards, Regional Vice President of Sales at Averitt. “We have found that not only do our associates rally behind these drives, but our customers do as well.”
Thousands of Toys, Endless Smiles
The initiative, now in its fifth year, has delivered thousands of toys to brighten the days of children undergoing treatment. What began with a simple Play-Doh drive has since expanded to include items such as coloring books, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels, and action figures.
The results continue to inspire all involved. For instance, in 2023, Averitt collected and donated 30,000 Hot Wheels cars. Fast forward to 2024, their efforts shifted to dolls and action figures with an astounding total of 10,000 toys gifted to St. Jude.
A Culture of Giving Back
The toy drives are part of Averitt’s larger “Team Up Community Challenge” program. This year-round initiative encourages Averitt associates to engage in service projects within their local communities. Furthermore, Averitt matches its associates’ volunteer hours with contributions made through Averitt Charities, their non-profit organization dedicated to charitable causes.
St. Jude provides guidance each year by sharing a list of needed items, ensuring every contribution is impactful and meaningful. “We started with a Play-Doh drive after Todd Harrett and I visited St. Jude for a check presentation one year. From there, what began locally in Louisville became an initiative in all our region,” said Jimmy Hoskins, Operations Manager at Averitt’s Louisville facility. “We have been amazed at the generosity of our company, our associates, our customers, and our community. Anything I ask our associates to do, they step up because they love the kids.”
For more details about Averitt’s community-focused work, visit Averitt Charities.
Source: The Trucker
Image Source: Averitt
