Each week, TruckNews.com lists notable moves, promotions and awards in the trucking industry.

This week, fleets demonstrated their support for various charitable causes. While Challenger Motor Freight donated supplies for kids of Waterloo region, Manitoulin transport and Traction hosted a charity golf classic to support ill children and Ontario students, and Groupe Robert employees participated in a challenge supporting breast cancer foundation.

Challenger supports backpack challenge

Challenger Motor Freight donated 170 backpacks to the Waterloo Regional Police to support its seventh annual Backpack Challenge.

“Your generosity will help make a huge difference in the community,” police said in its LinkedIn post.

The Backpack Challenge encourages businesses and residents to purchase new backpacks, lunch bags, school supplies, or gift cards to be donated to children and families in need. 

Over the past six years, more than 16,000 backpacks, thousands of dollars in gift cards, and school supplies have been collected. Last year, donations were distributed to families and more than 25 child and youth organizations throughout Waterloo Region.

Manitoulin, Traction host charity golf classic

The transportation industry gathered at the Rocky Crest Golf Resort and Lake Joseph Golf Club in Muskoka, Ont., for the 16th annual Manitoulin & Traction Charity Golf Classic. 

This two-day event united participants in support of the Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity and the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) Education Foundation.

The Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity helps sick children and their families by funding necessary expenses that hospitals, OHIP or private insurance do not cover. The OTA Education Foundation supports higher education for students in Ontario by offering financial aid to those connected to the trucking industry.

In the past 16 years, the tournament raised more than $2 million through entry fees, sponsorships, and live and silent auctions.

“Having Manitoulin and UAP Traction run the charity golf tournament represents a significant commitment to supporting our community and helping important causes that truly make a difference,” said Stan Dunford, the original founder of the charity golf classic tournament, in a news release. “It’s great to be back and to see the industry still coming together.”

Groupe Robert supports breast cancer foundation

Nearly 30 Groupe Robert employees tackled the Mudgirl obstacle course in Montreal on July 6 to support the breast cancer foundation.

Another Robert team of 10 employees from Mississauga participated in the Hamilton race in June.

Sportera, the challenge organizer, says that since Mudgirl’s inception, it has donated $312,000 to charities across North America and Europe.

Mudgirl is a five-kilometer race held in various cities in North America, each with more than 17 obstacles. While there is no time limit or obligation to complete all obstacles, the minimum age to participate is 7. Children between the ages of seven and 13 must be accompanied by an adult for the entirety of the race.