| On Sunday, May 9, 2010, Paul and I took 324-2 to Lancaster, PA for the 21st Annual Make-A-Wish Foundation Mother's Day Truck Convoy. The convoy is a fund raiser for the Philadelphia/Susquehanna Valley chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Foundation's mission is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Paul and I arrived at Burle Industries on the edge of Lancaster at 10:30 AM and were directed to the staging area. We parked next to a massive rescue truck from Paradise, PA designated Engine 4-7-1. A few minutes later, Schoeneck, PA Engine 1-9 arrived and parked beside us. Sandwiched between these two trucks 324-2 looked rather small. After registering, turning in our donations and receiving the banner and flags for the truck, we were handed a card with the name of a child on it, Allen Stoltzfus. Paul and I were not sure how we were supposed to locate Allen as we had no idea what he looked like or where he would be in the massive staging area. However, we did not need to concern ourselves as Allen's mother was directed to look for a large billboard with Trappe Fire Company written on the side, otherwise known as 324-2.
The convoy was scheduled to start at 1:30 so we had several hours to wander the staging area, meet other drivers and admire other apparatus and trucks. About 12:45 we met Allen, his mother Sara Ann, and his two brothers. Allen is 13 years old, wheel chair-bound and non-verbal. His mother told us that he really likes the horns, sirens and anything else that makes noise.
Sara Ann requested to ride in the front seat holding Allen. After getting everyone loaded, it was time to wait for our turn to "roll out". While waiting, the horns, Qs, and sirens began to wail, creating an almost deafening environment. Allen may not have been able to speak, but the expression on his face told us all we needed to know. Allen began clapping, laughing, and his expression was sheer joy. While waiting, we also took the opportunity to give Allen his own TFCA T-shirt and patch. He seemed excited to receive his gifts.
Since we were one of the last trucks to arrive, we were one of the last to roll out. We began the 27 mile journey by leaving the parking lot through a corridor created by hundreds of people there to watch and offer support to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. As we drove, the roads and highways were lined with hundreds more. People cheered as we drove by, encouraging us to make some noise. The driver of Engine 1-9, directly behind us, literally stood on the Q siren at every overpass, creating quite an echo effect that Allen loved. We did our part by giving the new Powercall siren quite a workout. I am pleased to say it stood up quite nicely.
During the convoy we spotted several family and friends. My family was spotted in Ephrata and Allen's family and friend's were sitting along Route 272 in Brownstown. We gave each of those groups quite an earful.
After completing the convoy, we returned to the staging area. It was time to say goodbye to Allen and his mother. Email addresses were exchanged, photographs taken, and Allen's mother requested TFCA as Allen's escort next year. We told her we would definitely be there.
According to today's newspapers, the convoy was made up of 348 trucks and helped to raise over $300,000, enough to grant wishes for 43 children. TFCA was able to raise $1,593.50. If we had participated last year, that total would have put us in the top 25 fund raisers for the event. The top 30 are honored by being the first 30 trucks in the convoy so next year, we may be near the front.
Paul and I both had a phenomenal time and are already looking forward to next year. If you are interested, perhaps next year we can do even more. Several of our local fire companies have also expressed interest in participating in the future. With your help, we can make this an annual event and there is no reason to think we can't double our total next year. I am already setting the bar at $3,000 for next year. Are you up for it? |
