History of the Charity Challenge

A professional truck driving skills competition to benefit the Kids at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

HISTORY OF THE CHARITY CHALLENGE

From 1990 to 1995, members from the Massachusetts & Maine Professional Truck Drivers Associations participated in the Pennsylvania Drivers Charity Competition for Easter Seals. The competition was the brain child of Ron Bowman of the Pennsylvania Drivers Association, a driver for Getty Petroleum. The event raised over $20,000 net each year with over 100 drivers each time. Planning got underway for a New England regional competition in 1996. It was to be a collaborative effort of the driver associations in New England. It was initially called the New England Professional Truck Drivers Charity Challenge.

The Associations involved were the:
Massachusetts Professional Truck Drivers Association (MPTDA)
Maine Professional Drivers Association (MPDA),
New Hampshire Professional Drivers Association (NHPDA)
Connecticut Professional Drivers Association (CPDA).

After the 1997 competition, Champions Council of New York (CCNY) came on board and the name of the event was changed to the NORTHEAST PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVERS CHARITY CHALLENGE. The co-chairmen of the event are Fred Schenk & Bob Darling of Massachusetts. The committee includes Denis Litalien representing Maine, Mickey Rafeal representing New Hampshire, Roland Bolduc representing Connecticut and Al Charbonneau representing New York.

Over 1200 drivers from all over the Northeast have participated in the twelve events since 1997, including drivers from Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, New Mexico and Canada. All of the proceeds go to benefit the children and research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. To date the total net contributions from the participating drivers and sponsoring companies is $228,000, with a total gross contribution of $385,000!

The Charity Challenge is a driving skills competition featuring obstacles or problems to negotiate. There are 9 different CDL classes of competition, and a Step Van Competition. Gold, Silver & Bronze Belt Buckles are awarded for the top three scores in each class. Trophies are awarded for the top fundraisers, Father/Son High Score, Top Management Score, Top Retired Driver Score, Top Rookie-of-the-Year Score, Top Set-up Team Score and trophies for the optional pre-trip inspection and written test. There is also a Team Trophy. The only requirement is a valid CDL license (except Step Van). The Charity Challenge is held each year at the Devens Commerce Center in Devens, Massachusetts usually on the second Sunday in September.

This year the Charity Challenge will take place on Sunday, September 11, 2011.