Truckers Take Over Highways for the World's Largest Truck Convoy

Truck Convoy is a Success

For Immediate Release: November 13, 2007

The Houston highways rumbled to life as truckers hit the road to spread awareness and raise money for Special Olympics Texas during the World's Largest Truck Convoy on November 10.  Truck drivers and Law Enforcment Torch Run officers joined together to host the exciting event.  The convoy was a great success with 67 trucks participating!

The trucks gathered at Sam Houston Race Park, then traveled on Beltway 8 to Highway 249; the route continued on 249 to the Northpoint exit, where it turned around and returned to the Race Park.  After the truckers traversed the 22 miles roundtrip to Sam Houston Race Park, there was a celebration event that includes lunch and entertainment.

For the third year, Onalaska Elementary Gifted & Talented students and their teacher, Kaye Henry, gathered support from families, community members, friends, and local law enforcement to raise money for Special Olympics.  This year they have outdone themselves by raising over $2,400, by selling paper truck icons for $1 each, in cooperation with the World's Largest Truck Convoy.

Because of their outstanding contribution, the students were invited to be the "lead truck" in their school bus.  Detective Brent Foster with the Polk County Sheriff's Dept., Constable Bill Cunningham, and Onalaska Police Officers escorted the bus to and from Houston, and participated in the Convoy. 

An international fund raising and awareness event, the WLTC is a unique partnership between law enforcement and truckers to raise funds for Special Olympics so they can continue to train in year-round sports activities. Officers involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics have made the WLTC one of their many annual signature events.

About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas is a privately funded non-profit organization, providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for 25,841 children and adults with intellectual disabilities [mental retardation] in the Lone Star State.  For more information, visit www.specialolympicstexas.org or call 800.876.JOIN.

Presenting Sponsor: CarQuest

Co-Sponsors: Coca-Cola Bottling Companies of Texas, ConocoPhillips, GMAC Financial Services and H-E-B

 ###

Andi Baca Kelly
Public Relations Coordinator
Special Olympics Texas
akelly@sotx.org