On Saturday, September 22, the public is invited to join Iowa’s compassionate army of truck drivers as Iowa’s law enforcement escorts nearly 100 trucks. This day in Iowa is part of the national officially-recognized Guinness World Records World’s Largest Truck Convoy across the nation to raise money for Special Olympics athletes and change attitudes about people with intellectual disabilities.
“This is an amazing and unforgettable day to see the truck convoy and their support for Special Olympics,” said Special Olympics Iowa Director of Development Jeanette Steinfeldt.
Locally on Sept. 22, trucks will start to line up at 8 a.m. with the convoy beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Southwest Connector, exit 101 off the Hwy 5 bypass in West Des Moines. The Convoy will continue on Hwy 5/65 to the University Avenue exit. It will take University Avenue west and enter the Iowa State Fairgrounds at the 33rd Street entrance.
The trucks are expected to arrive at the Fairgrounds at 11:15 a.m. where a barbeque lunch, music and post-party await. “The fun continues when the trucks are welcomed by Special Olympics Iowa athletes, families, friends, colleagues, law enforcement officers, the Special Olympics community, and the organizations and companies that make up the trucking industry,” said Steinfeldt.
Event sponsors for the day include: Burke, Central and Southeast Iowa Historical Society, Coca-Cola Atlantic Bottling Company, DMACC Training Institute, the Iowa Law Enforcement Torch Run, Johnsrud Trucking, MP Security and Walmart.
Inspired by the powerful impact Special Olympics has had on his life through his participation in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, combined with his family’s involvement in the trucking industry, Norm Schneiderhan, a Corporal with the Orange County (Florida) Sheriff’s Department, created the convoy 11 years ago and it has now become a national one day celebration of the trucking industry to help raise money and awareness for Special Olympics.
Special Olympics Iowa is a nonprofit organization serving Iowans with intellectual disabilities since 1968. SOIA provides year-round training and competitions in 23 Olympic type sports. Currently, SOIA serves 11,000 athletes and Unified Sports partners representing each of Iowa’s 99 counties. For more information, please call 515-986-5520 or visit www.soiowa.org.
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Media note: interviews can scheduled with Special Olympics Iowa athletes, participants in the Convoy and law enforcement officials by contacting Jeanette Steinfeldt at 515-418-2276 for more information.