BAND TOGETHER FOR SCF CAMPAIGN NOW AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF NATSO

SCF to Help More Drivers in Need

Knoxville, TN – June 23, 2015 – The Band Together for SCF campaign was created in 2010. The idea was simple: offer wristbands for $1 for one month and inform customers about the St. Christopher Truckers Development & Relief Fund (SCF), a not-for-profit designed to benefit truck drivers in need. Wearing one of these wristbands draws light on to the work done by SCF, and helps raise funding to support suffering truck drivers. The first year was a huge success, and with the help of our founding participant, TravelCenters of America LLC (TA), we raised $211,125. Each subsequent year has been more and more successful, raising a total of $1,268,085 to date, allowing the Fund to help more than 1,200 drivers in need and raising awareness of the charity and its mission. Wristbands can be such an effective way of fundraising.

The 2015 Band Together for SCF is now open to any travel center operator who is a member of NATSO, the national association representing truck stops and travel plazas. Each participating NATSO member will be in charge of running their campaign but assistance on how to get started is available. Tom Liutkus, Vice President of Marketing and PR at TA and SCF Board President, said, “TA initially got involved with the SCF with the hopes of furthering the only organization we found that is exclusively devoted to helping professional truck drivers in need. We’ve been able to do that successfully and we encourage other trucks stops to do the same.”

Dr. Donna Kennedy, Executive Director of the SCF, stated, “We know there are so many drivers in need that don’t know about us; the expansion of Band Together for SCF will greatly assist with awareness. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve heard our applicants say that they bought bands in the past but never thought they would need the help. Take J.P.’s story for example:

Whenever I saw the St. Christopher’s wristbands at the truck stop, I always bought one or two to make myself feel good about helping someone. I never thought about where that dollar or two went afterwards. Then my wife had complications after a routine surgery and her 5 day stay turned into 2 months in the hospital. I couldn’t leave her there alone and being the sole breadwinner, we were financially devastated. That’s when I contacted the wonderful people at St. Christopher’s Fund. They helped me keep my bills paid and kept us from losing everything. Actually, I should be thanking the thoughtful truckers who contribute to this worthy organization. You are answering prayers with every dollar you give. Remember, it’s more than just a wristband for you, it’s someone else’s home and family. Please give generously.

I think this goes to show that you just never know when your generosity will be rewarded. We have been so grateful for TA’s support and look forward to others helping further our cause.”

Any truck stop interested in learning more about Band Together for SCF should contact Dr. Kennedy for promotional guidelines: 865-202-9428, director@truckersfund.org.

About the St. Christopher Fund

The St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund (SCF) is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that provides financial assistance to professional truck drivers whose medical problems led to financial difficulty. Assistance includes help negotiating doctor/hospital bills, finding local resources, and paying for expenses such as mortgage, utility, car payments, and prescriptions. The SCF also provides health, wellness and prevention programs for drivers. All donations to the Fund are tax-deductible. For more information, please visit www.truckersfund.org or call 865-202-9428.

About NATSO

NATSO is the trade association of America’s travel plaza and truckstop industry. Founded in 1960, NATSO represents the industry on legislative and regulatory matters; serves as the official source of information on the diverse travel plaza and truckstop industry; provides education to its members; conducts an annual convention and trade show; and supports efforts to generally improve the business climate in which its members operate.