The annual Truck Convoy will start in West Des Moines and finish at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Money raised through the event supports year-round sports training and competitions, health education and leadership programs for Special Olympics athletes.

Trucks Will Roll Out from West Des Moines

Registration and check-in will take place from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Veterans Parkway near Highway 5, Exit 101. A mandatory drivers’ meeting is set for 10 a.m., followed by a live auction for the lead truck positions at 10:15 a.m.

At 10:30 a.m., law enforcement will escort the trucks along Highway 5 for the roughly 20-mile trip to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

The convoy is one of the annual signature events connected with the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

Celebration Will Follow the Convoy

Trucks are expected to reach the fairgrounds in time for an 11:30 a.m. celebration. Special Olympics Iowa athletes and families, community organizations, companies, and law enforcement will be there to welcome participants.

Lunch and awards recognizing participating truckers will also be part of the event.

Truck drivers interested in joining the convoy can find registration details through Special Olympics Iowa.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article reflects real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: September 16, 2026

Source: The Trucker

Image Source: Special Olympics Iowa

The post Iowa Truck Convoy Will Raise Money for Special Olympics Athletes appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Organizers of the Make-A-Wish Mother’s Day Truck Convoy are looking for a new venue after learning that Manheim Auto Auction in Pennsylvania will no longer host outside events because of changes to its business model and security requirements. The annual convoy has been held at the facility since 2020.

The search comes as organizers work to ensure the event can continue raising money for children with critical illnesses while preserving a tradition that has become a fixture in the trucking community.

A Tradition That Spans More Than Three Decades

The Make-A-Wish Mother’s Day Truck Convoy began in 1990 and has raised more than $10 million to help grant wishes for children with critical illnesses.

The event originally operated from the Burle Business Park in Lancaster before relocating to Manheim Auto Auction in 2020. Since then, hundreds of truck drivers have gathered each year to participate, with recent convoys drawing around 400 trucks despite reduced participation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley, the convoy remains one of the chapter’s signature fundraising events.

Organizers Hope to Find a Long-Term Location

Rather than securing a temporary solution, Make-A-Wish says it’s looking for a venue capable of supporting the event for years to come.

The organization has spent the past several months evaluating potential sites throughout Lancaster and Lebanon counties but has yet to identify a location that meets the event’s operational requirements.

Those requirements extend beyond parking space. Organizers need a site that can safely accommodate dozens of tractor-trailers, provide efficient entrances and exits for commercial vehicles, offer adequate space for volunteers, wish families and spectators, and connect to a roadway suitable for the convoy route.

Event Could Operate with a Smaller Footprint

Previous convoys have welcomed between 400 and 600 trucks, but organizers say the next location doesn’t necessarily need to match that capacity.

Current planning calls for space to stage approximately 75 to 125 tractor-trailers, allowing the event to continue while expanding if a suitable long-term venue becomes available.

Make-A-Wish officials told local media their priority is finding a location that allows the convoy to continue safely rather than simply matching attendance from previous years.

Trucking Community Invited to Help

Make-A-Wish is encouraging businesses, property owners and community members who may know of a suitable location to come forward with suggestions.

Potential sites should be able to safely handle commercial truck traffic while accommodating event participants, volunteers and families throughout the day. Anyone with venue recommendations can contact the organization directly at convoy@philadesv.wish.org.

A Cause That Continues to Unite the Industry

The Mother’s Day Truck Convoy has become more than a truck parade over the past 36 years. It has grown into one of the trucking industry’s best-known charitable traditions, bringing together professional drivers, carriers, sponsors and local communities in support of children facing critical illnesses.

While organizers continue searching for a new home, they remain committed to preserving an event that has generated millions of dollars for Make-A-Wish and has become an annual highlight for hundreds of truck drivers across the region.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 18, 2026

Source: Lancaster Online

The post Make-A-Wish Mother’s Day Truck Convoy Searching for New Home After Venue Change appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

That turnout is not just a number. It directly connects to how much funding the event generates each year.

How the event funds are used

The convoy serves as the primary fundraising source for Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware, and Susquehanna Valley. About 75 percent of the wishes granted each year are tied to this single event, which keeps participation and fundraising closely linked.

Organizers have set a $575,000 goal for 2026. Hitting that mark depends on both driver turnout and fundraising leading into the convoy.

“The funds raised through the Convoy are essential to making wishes come true for children with critical illnesses in the Susquehanna Valley,” Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware, and Susquehanna Valley said. “Your participation not only supports an inspiring community tradition but also plays a crucial role in bringing hope, strength, and joy to local children.”

Participation requirements and registration

With that in mind, the event remains open to a wide range of drivers. The convoy runs the day before Mother’s Day, and trucks with a gross vehicle weight of at least 26,001 pounds are eligible. Drivers can register in advance online here or wait until the day of the event.

Route and safety updates for 2026

As participation continues to grow, organizers have introduced a new route for 2026. The change is intended to improve safety for drivers, wish families, and the surrounding community while also reducing the impact on traffic.

Industry presence at the event

In addition to driver turnout, industry support will also be visible on site. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association will be present, with Marty Ellis attending alongside the Association’s tour truck, The Spirit of the American Trucker.

Why drivers participate

Taken together, these elements show why the convoy continues to draw consistent participation. The connection is direct. Driver involvement supports funding for wishes in the same region where the event takes place.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the convoy?
It serves as the primary fundraising source for Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware, and Susquehanna Valley.

How much is the event aiming to raise in 2026?
$575,000.

Who can participate?
Drivers operating trucks with a gross vehicle weight of at least 26,001 pounds.

Can drivers still register close to the event?
Yes. Registration remains open through the day of the convoy.

What impacts how much is raised each year?
Driver turnout and fundraising before the event.

The Mother’s Day Truck Convoy continues to connect driver participation with measurable support for children and families across the region.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: April 27, 2026

Source: Land Line Media

Image Source: Wish.org

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