The final Count is done

The final count of all donations is out. We would like to thank all sponsors, participants, volonteers that made it happen for the 1st Convoy in Quebec

$22,346.00

The organizing comittee for the 2007 Convoy
Left to right, front to back
Jean Catudal co-founder of the event, Richard Tremblay, Jacqueline Gagné, Susanne Smyth co-founder, Mycheline Gagné, Sgt Marc Ratté SPVM, Gaétan Houle, Pierre Bélanger Special Olympics, Dany Chrétien, Cst Mary Jack SPVM

The 2007 Convoy, A Success All The Way!

An impressive escort from the Law Enforcement Torch Run opened the way to the convoy in the streets of Trois Rivieres and on Autoroute 40.

Many had pearls on their cheeks overwhelmed by the emotions as the convoy entered the fairgrounds in front of the stadium. To ear from the Autoroute, the whaling of the sirens, all the lights on the motorcade and the sounds of all kind of air horns from different trucks was a very moving moment for all.

The second moment of emotions was the announcement of the tally. A total of 115 participants with commercial vehicles of all kind that broke the Canadian record for a first edition of a convoy.

The generosity and the open heart of all the women and men that are the soul of the trucking industry, the organisation of the convoy was able to give to Special Olympics Quebec the sum of $20,000.00 to help the athletes with their cause. You all took up the challenge to be “United for a same cause”.

There is still some accounting left to be done so we can close the books on this first convoy. The final statement will be published in the November issue of Transport Magazine.

Thank you, 115 times thank you!

More pictures will be posted shortly

More Sponsors Are Adding Up!

At a time we thought it could be almost impossible, three new sponsors have signed up with us. All three are mostly giving generous amounts of gifts for the drivers and two of them are going the extra mile with the employees to make it a found raising event to register their trucks.

Ultramar Canada w ill be a great gift donator for the day. Many useful items for drivers will end up in the goody bags drivers will receive on arrival.

A group of drivers of Normandin Tr ansit in Napierville lead by Steve “Bagage” Murphy are to organise an end of summer grill at the home base on September 20^th. All profits of that hot dog grilling day are to be handed out to the Convoy. Also, Steve got us caps from Normandin, from Kenworth and I think he still has a few surprises for all of us on the 22^nd.

Drivers from Cascades Papers went also the extra mile by organizing a Go-kart day that turned into a week-end because of the weather, this past Saturday. This was for them the way to collect as much as possible for their bid on the lead truck.

What team will get it? The Blues of Normandin or the Greens of Cascades? Unless a surprise shows up on the 22^nd! You will know that at the briefing of the drivers Saturday morning.

Again a big thank you from us to these teams going the extra mile.

For The True Habs Fan and Collector!

A big thank you from all the team at the convoy to Mr Pierre Boivin President and to Ms Marie-Claude Pinel, his assistant, of the Canadien Hockey Club for this official game shirt signed by all of the 2006-2007 edition of our Glorieux. This collectible item was generously given to us by the director of the club.

Tickets for the raffle will be available exclusively to persons on the site of the convoy in Trois Rivieres this coming September 22^nd . No pre-sale, no purchase limit. The lucky winner will hold a piece of the tradition of the Canadien and it will become a priceless item over the years.

Interested? Bring your pocket change!

We also have another nice surprise for you. What about a pair of tickets to the pre-season game of the Canadien against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night the 22^nd? You will have to plan a backhaul to Montreal. Another big thank you from all the other members of the convoy to Richard Tremblay for this generous gift.

Directions to the Convoy

Very simple. The Terrain de l’Exposition is located on the Boul. Des Recollets, north of exit 199 on Autoroute 40.

The north entrance, on Papineau, is the one we will use to welcome you and guide you to the parking area.

Indication from the off ramp are to be in place to help you out.

For the visuals, here is a map of the area (Click on map to enlarge).

The Convoy on air, in truck stops and new sponsors.

It’s moving and we are feeling the impatience of participants. This day will be one to remember. Last week, one hour on Livraison Spéciale XM172. This week, Thursday the 16^th it will be on Radio-Canada around 10:05am and the same day Susanne will be at the 730 Truck Stop in Cardinal to take your registrations and to hand out forms to you. This is during Bob Lodge’s Driver Appreciation day.

The 20^th, it’s 98.5 in Montreal that will give us air time during the drive show of Paul Houde. This is without putting aside the time that Dave Nemo, Bill Mack and Dave “Trucking Bozo” Summers are kindly giving us on Open Road XM171.

This morning, a great news came in. The CFTC has given us their support by being a Bronze sponsor to the event. A big Thank You to them. Maybe a challenge to all other heavy truck driving schools!

The “Centre du Camion Paré” has also given us their support as a Bronze sponsor. Another big Thank You to Normand Paré.

Other news to come soon!

PLAY BALL!!!

Saturday august 4th members of the organizing comittee had the pleasure to meet at the Park Bernier of Drummondville the local Special Olympics Softball team the Dragons and the team of Trois Rivieres the Aigles. Jonathan Dupont, our athlete spokesperson is a member of that team that has split the honours of a double header.

Ladies and Gentlemen drivers, during that special event day, don't forget to bring your ball glove, bat or any other personnal equipment you may need for a friendly softball game against these players.

Just a reminder that the athletes of Special Olympics are not physically challenged persons; they are persons with intellectual challenges. They bloom among us through sports. Many of them can make a good contact with the ball!

We are expecting you for what will become an annual classic between the drivers and the athletes September 22^nd in the afternoon. Prizes will be given to participants that will challenge them in a game ruled by S.O.

5 innings per game
5 points per inning
No foul ball limit

The trainers of the Aigles have promised us they won’t be too hard on the drivers

The whole schedule of the day for the Convoy will be published shortly. Expect a memorable day for all.