Statewide 'appreciation week' planned for Maine truckers
Photo / Courtesy, Maine Motor Transport Association
Several events are planned across Maine from Sept. 16-20 as part of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Shown here is a scene from a 2023 event.
To honor Maine’s nearly 35,000 truck drivers, events are planned in several locations across the state from Sept. 16-20, which is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.
All week long, representatives from Portland-based United Insurance and the Maine Motor Transportation Association will hand out free safety equipment and gifts to truckers. United Insurance employs 164 people across 14 locations in Maine and New Hampshire.
Freebies will be distributed at Irving truck stops in Fairfield, Farmington, Auburn, Houlton and Millinocket, as well as the Dysart’s station in Hampden. In addition, truckers can pick up the swag at the Maine Turnpike's Kennebunk Service Plaza, which is also the traditional Labor Day weekend stomping ground of Maine Turnpike Authority mascot Miles the Moose.
Founded in 1946, the Maine Motor Transport Association boasts more than 1,840 member companies, making it one of the state’s largest trade groups.
“We look forward to Truck Driver Appreciation Week every year,” said Brian Parke, president and CEO of the Hallowell-based association.
“This is our week to hit the road and thank truck drivers for the critical services they provide all consumers,” he added. “It’s also an opportunity to share important facts with the public about the trucking industry’s impact on Maine’s economy and the success of our nationwide continual improvement efforts.”
A fact sheet from the organization shows that the industry accounts for one out of 15 jobs in Maine, where trucks transport 52,650 tons of freight per day.
Schedule of events
- Monday, Sept. 16: 7:30 a.m. to noon, Irving truck stop, Fairfield; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Irving truck stop, Farmington
- Tuesday, Sept. 17: 7:30 a.m. to noon, Irving truck stop, Auburn
- Wednesday, Sept. 18: 8 a.m. to noon, Kennebunk Service Plaza
- Thursday, Sept. 19: 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Irving truck stop, Houlton; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Irving truck stop/Millinocket
- Friday, Sept. 20: 8 a.m. to noon, Dysart’s truck stop, Hampden
Truckers passing through those locations are encouraged to stop in for complimentary safety vests, insulated work gloves, travel mugs and free coffee. Everyone else is welcome to swing by and thank truckers for their hard work.
“We’re happy to do our part to help truck drivers feel appreciated, but the best way to thank a trucker is to give them the space they need to do their jobs,” said Tim Doyle, vice president of the Maine Motor Transport Association. “If every day was Truck Driver Appreciation Day, Maine’s public roads would be even safer.”
Treating truck drivers to lunch
A further event is planned on Monday, Sept. 16, by the Maine Professional Drivers Association in conjunction with the Maine State Police, at the southbound scale facility on Interstate 95 in Kittery.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers will be serving a complimentary lunch to truck drivers and their families.
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