Troy PD and the Trucking community come together and convoy for the Special Olympics

By Devese “Dee” Ursery, Reporter

The CIT Trucking Company held its fifth annual truck convoy for Special Olympics Illinois on Saturday, September 24.

The trucks lined up at 4:15 p.m. on 2120 Liebler Road in front of the CIT Trucking building. There were 67 trucks, fire trucks, tow trucks, and assorted big rigs. Each $100 convoy participant donation includes the drive, goody bag, dinner, and a celebration.

This year’s convoy collected a record setting $70,000 shattering last year’s record of $ 52,000. The lead and tail trucks are selected in a live auction 15 minutes prior to take off. This year there were two companies bidding against each other, William F. Braun Milk Hauling Company and Fast Lane Towing. They ended up bidding up to $13,000 for the last truck, which went to William Braun and Fast Lane agreed to take the tail truck position for $6,500. There were 67 trucks that participated in the convoy.

“We are extremely proud and thankful to the trucking community and the Troy Police Department for the amazing support that it shows to special needs athletes,” said Sandy Nash, Special Olympics Illinois Director of Development Torch Run. “This is a unique event. It’s the only event each year that really brings the trucking community, law enforcement, and Special Olympics together. “Here in Illinois we host two other convoys in the Chicago-land area, but this is the only one in Southern Illinois and Troy does it proud.”

The Troy Police Department escorted the convoy 25 miles along Interstate 55 and 270 before returning to CIT Trucks.