Running from Jan. 30 through Feb. 22, the 2026 initiative encourages professional drivers and everyday travelers to turn routine fuel and food stops into direct support for organizations working to reduce heart disease and stroke across the U.S. and Canada.

A One Million Dollar Goal with Nearly a Decade of Impact

Pilot’s goal for the 2026 Heart Month campaign is to raise one million dollars, adding to nearly ten million dollars already raised over nine years in partnership with the American Heart Association and Heart & Stroke.

Funds raised support heart health education, medical research, and community programs aimed at prevention and early intervention, areas that are especially important for truck drivers who often face long periods of sedentary time, irregular sleep, and limited access to routine care.

A Personal Message from a Stroke Survivor

One of the strongest voices behind the campaign comes from inside Pilot’s own leadership team.

“Heart disease and stroke affect millions of lives every year, including my own,” said Julius Cox, executive vice president, chief people and administrative officer at Pilot, and stroke survivor. “After overcoming my experience, I became even more committed to taking care of my personal health and encouraging others to do the same. Every dollar raised during the campaign helps fund groundbreaking research and equips communities with life-saving tools and education they need to keep more hearts beating.”

For drivers, Cox’s message underscores a reality many in the industry know firsthand. Heart health is not an abstract issue. It directly affects careers, families, and life on the road.

Simple Ways Drivers Can Participate on the Road

Truck drivers stopping at Pilot, Flying J, or One9 locations can support Heart Month in a few quick, practical ways that fit naturally into a workday.

In-store options include

• Purchasing a one-dollar, three-dollar, or five-dollar paper heart at U.S. locations
• Rounding up in-store purchases to the nearest dollar at checkout

In the U.S., 100% of proceeds benefit the American Heart Association’s Life is Why campaign. In Canada, round-up donations benefit Heart and Stroke.

Mobile app option

• Drivers can now donate one dollar, three dollars, or five dollars directly through the Pilot app when placing a mobile order, making participation possible even during tight schedules.

A Thank You Designed for Drivers

To show appreciation, Pilot is offering a practical reward drivers can actually use.

Drivers who join the Heart Month Challenge in the Pilot app and purchase a paper heart in store will receive an offer for a free small hot coffee on their next visit, subject to program terms.

Why Pilot Says Heart Health Fits Its Core Purpose

Pilot leadership says the campaign reflects more than fundraising. It aligns with how the company sees its role in the transportation industry.

“At Pilot, our purpose is to show people they matter at every turn and supporting heart health is one of the most meaningful ways we can live out that purpose,” said Adrienne Ingoldt, senior vice president, communications, risk and procurement at Pilot and member of the American Heart Association’s National Life is Why Council of Retailers. “We are grateful for our team members and the millions of guests who choose to support Heart Month. We want everyone to live longer, healthier lives through education, a healthy diet, physical activity, and regular medical screenings.”

Support for Pilot Team Members and the Broader Community

In addition to customer fundraising, Pilot is providing its own team members with hands-only CPR training, blood pressure resources, and heart health education developed by the Heart Association. These resources are also available to the public through local Heart Association offices.

The campaign is funded through Pilot’s Miles of Good giving program, which supports charitable initiatives connected to community health and well-being.

Why This Matters for Truck Drivers

For professional drivers, Heart Month is a reminder that small actions, both personal and collective, add up. Whether it is monitoring blood pressure, taking advantage of health screenings, or rounding up a purchase at checkout, these steps help strengthen the safety net for drivers, families, and communities that rely on the trucking industry every day.

Additional campaign details are available here, while heart health resources can be found at heart.org and heartandstroke.ca.

Source: The Trucker

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Honoring the Drivers Who Go the Extra Mile

After sifting through thousands of entries, Pilot selected two standout drivers who embody professionalism, safety, and service. In addition to Batiste, Bobby Peeker, a Marine Corps veteran, also earned recognition for his exceptional contributions to the trucking and veteran communities. Peeker will receive a $10,000 cash prize, along with a $25,000 charitable donation made by Pilot to a veterans-focused organization of his choice.

“We received thousands of entries celebrating the efforts of drivers who go the extra mile each and every day,” said Jordan Spradling, senior vice president of transportation and midstream assets at Pilot Company. “Stacy’s and Bobby’s hard work, dedication to the profession, commitment to safety and service stood out. We are honored to welcome them to the Road Warrior winner’s circle. They both are prime examples of the positive impact professional drivers have on and off the road.”

Pilot’s Road Warrior contest is its way of recognizing the drivers who keep North America moving, day in and day out.

Stacy Batiste: 33 Years of Dedication

Batiste was awarded the largest prize in contest history: a custom Kenworth truck built by the Diesel Brothers and a $50,000 cash prize. With over 33 years behind the wheel and more than 5.1 million accident-free miles, Batiste views trucking not just as a career, but as a calling.

A Marine Corps veteran, he has consistently prioritized road safety and has earned a reputation as a mentor for younger drivers. Beyond trucking, Batiste is an active member of his local community, always finding ways to give back.

On October 21, Pilot surprised Batiste while he was on the road at a Flying J in Baytown, Texas, presenting the keys to his custom Kenworth and the $50,000 check. His family joined the celebration, hidden in the travel center to share the moment. Batiste began his driving career hauling sugar cane in South Louisiana, and now, as an owner-operator, the new truck supports his ongoing passion for safe, community-focused driving.

Bobby Peeker: Veteran and Community Advocate

Peeker has logged more than 1 million accident-free miles and continues to give back to the military community after his service in the Marine Corps. He regularly volunteers his time and resources to help fellow servicemen and women and participates in truck shows supporting the Special Olympics.

His passion for trucking was shaped early on by his family, and particularly by his grandfather, who helped remove rubble after the 9/11 attacks using his truck.

Celebrating Trucking Excellence

For over a decade, Pilot has honored professional drivers through the Road Warrior contest, highlighting more than 30 drivers whose dedication and safety-first approach set the standard for the industry.

For more information about the Road Warrior contest, including past winners and how drivers can be recognized, visit Pilot’s website.

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“These updates make stops faster, easier, and more comfortable for drivers,” a company spokesperson said.

Updated Locations with Curb-to-Counter Renovations

• Pilot #1 – Mill Hall, Pennsylvania
• Pilot #1019 – Orland, California
• Pilot #602 – Birmingham, Alabama
• Pilot #1021 – Holland, Michigan
• Pilot #12 – Perrysburg, Ohio
• Pilot #209 – Van Horn, Texas
• Pilot #134 – St. Cloud, Minnesota
• Pilot #1028 – Buffalo, Texas
• Flying J #552 – Lebanon, Ohio
• Flying J #655 – Spiceland, Indiana
• Flying J #620 – Smithton, Pennsylvania
• Flying J #744 – Ogden, Utah
• Shell Flying J #863 – Balgonie, Saskatchewan
• One9 #226 – Dandridge, Tennessee

New Dealer Locations for Easy Access

Pilot and One9 also added 11 dealer locations, giving drivers more options for parts and maintenance along busy routes:

• Pilot Dealer #1483 – Kankakee, Illinois
• Pilot Dealer #1476 – Belvidere, Illinois
• One9 Dealer #1463 – Welsh, Louisiana
• One9 Dealer #1471 – Bolingbrook, Illinois
• One9 Dealer #1481 – Ozark, Alabama
• One9 Dealer #1447 – El Centro, California
• One9 Dealer #1482 – Sauk Center, Minnesota
• One9 Dealer #1418 – Seguin, Texas
• One9 Dealer #1335 – Venus, Texas
• One9 Dealer #1503 – Salina, Utah
• One9 Dealer #1504 – Searchlight, Nevada

Truck Maintenance Services Expanding

Truck drivers can now access maintenance services at over 90 Southern Tire Mart at Pilot locations nationwide. Six new sites include:

• STMP #729 – Houston, Texas
• STMP #50 – Sulfur, Kentucky
• STMP #746 – Salt Lake City, Utah
• STMP #1319 – Burleson, Texas
• STMP #705 – Sayre, Oklahoma
• STMP #1382 – Hudson, Colorado

Digital Upgrades for a Smoother Stop

Pilot is rolling out mobile ordering at select locations, aiming to have it available at nearly 400 centers by the end of 2025. Drivers can also navigate the updated Pilot website at PilotCompany.com, featuring a fresh design and streamlined content for easier trip planning.

Additionally, the award-winning myRewards Plus app is now the Pilot app, keeping loyalty programs, shower and parking reservations, mobile fueling, and personalized offers all in one intuitive platform.

“Creating exceptional experiences for our guests – whether in our stores, at the pumps or in our app – is driven by our purpose of showing people they matter at every turn,” said Brad Anderson, president, retail at Pilot. “Providing a seamless digital experience and meeting the diverse needs of our guests are just a few examples of how we are living out our ambition to be the leading energy and experience provider people rely on to fuel their journeys.”

With these upgrades, Pilot is making stops more efficient, comfortable, and convenient for truck drivers on long hauls, helping them get back on the road quickly and safely.

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For the eighth consecutive year, Pilot invites its guests to contribute by making donations in-store and, as a gesture of gratitude, enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee to keep them fueled throughout the day.

“At Pilot, safety goes beyond being road-ready — it’s about protecting what matters most: our team members, guests, and communities,” said Adrienne Ingoldt, Pilot’s Chief Marketing Officer and member of the American Heart Association’s Life is Why Council. “Standing together in the fight against heart disease and stroke — the leading and fifth-leading causes of death in our country — is a meaningful way to bring our purpose to life and show people they matter at every turn.”

How Guests Can Participate

From February 1–16, guests can visit participating Pilot, Flying J, and One9 Travel Centers to donate and help promote heart health. There are several ways to lend a hand:

• Paper Hearts: Guests can purchase paper hearts for $1, $3, or $5 at participating travel centers. Every penny supports the American Heart Association’s Life is Why campaign in the U.S. and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Those who buy a paper heart at U.S. locations will also receive a free any-size hot coffee via the Pilot myRewards Plus app as a thank-you gift for contributing.

• Pin Pad Donations: During checkout, guests can round up their in-store purchases to the nearest dollar or give an additional donation through the pin pad. All proceeds from U.S. contributions go to the American Heart Association’s Life is Why campaign, while funds raised at Canadian locations benefit the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

“We’re proud to support the American Heart Association and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada to promote heart health and safety,” Ingoldt said. “Every paper heart purchased and extra dollar donated fuels groundbreaking research and lifesaving initiatives. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our guests and team members, whose support enables these organizations to make a profound difference.”

Supporting Team Members’ Heart Health

Beyond its fundraising initiatives, Pilot is committed to equipping its employees with the resources to prioritize their heart health. Team members will have access to free CPR training, blood pressure screenings, and other essential heart health resources provided by the American Heart Association.

Source: Truckers News

Image: Pilot

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From October 4 to October 18, customers at any Pilot, Flying J, and One9 travel center nationwide are encouraged to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar. Every cent raised will go towards bolstering Red Cross efforts in the Southeast regions affected by the hurricane.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the countless individuals, families and communities, including our own team members, experiencing the utterly devastating effects of Hurricane Helene,” expressed Julius Cox, Pilot’s chief people officer. “Pilot is profoundly thankful to our team members and emergency personnel for all they are doing to support the affected communities. We are working around the clock to ensure our stores are open and able to provide essentials like fuel and food as we start down the road to recovery together.”

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, Pilot is prioritizing the safe and swift resumption of services to meet the needs of affected communities and emergency workers. As of now, all Pilot, Flying J, and One9 travel centers are operational, including in severely affected locations. For current updates on store operations in these areas, please visit pilotflyingj.com/operational-updates.

Source: Truckers News

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