The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit organization that grants the wishes of children with critical illnesses. Founded in 1980, Make-A-Wish has been dedicated to bringing joy and hope into the lives of these brave children, aiming to provide them with memorable experiences that transcend their medical conditions.
Carlos had a wish – He wanted to ride in a big rig.
Our Shelly Truck Driving School, already a Make-A-Wish sponsor, had the perfect truck for Carlos. It provided a secure location for his chair, an unobstructed view of the road ahead, and seats for mom and dad on either side. With Driving Instructor Ryan Hughes behind the wheel and his wife Sam navigating, the Wish Family could relax and enjoy the 26-mile ride.
Supporting the Lancaster Mother’s Day Truck Convoy and the Gettysburg Truck Convoy for Wishes has become a tradition for S&H Express and its affiliate companies. Having the perfect truck for Carlos was a happy coincidence and one we hope will continue.
For the past 22 years, our drivers have gotten back behind the wheel on their day off, staff members have donated free time to wash and polish our drivers’ trucks and work at Convoy booths, our companies have underwritten expenses for either or both yearly Convoys and our drivers have raised many thousands of dollars to make wishes come true.
We get much more from the Convoys than we give. Whether their wishes are to ride in a big rig, meet a unicorn, travel to Disney or something else, we have the satisfaction of knowing that we’re making wishes come true for kids like Carlos. Kids with critical illnesses.
Carlos’s mom Miranda says, “It was such a special day! He absolutely loved every minute of it. He went to school today and told his whole class what he got to do over the weekend. It was such a hot topic! He even found a video on you tube to show his class, so they understood all there is about MAKE-A-WISH. The driver was so helpful, accommodating and so very kind. We just don’t have enough words to express how much this meant to our family. Thank you all for such a precious memory. “
For the second year in a row, Landis Express Driver Mike Kindt led the 500+ tow trucks, fire trucks, rescue, hook and ladder, big rig, tanker, flat bed, ambulances, and more that took part in this year’s Mother’s Day Truck Convoy. Being lead driver is an honor bestowed on the prior year’s top fundraiser and Mike raised well over $50,000! Mike’s support of Make-A-Wish began when his granddaughter was a beneficiary of the Mother’s Day Truck Convoy many years ago and his efforts to give back have not diminished with the years. He is well on his way to leading the 2024 Convoy!
Shelly Truck Driving School Instructor Ryan Hughes hosted Carlos and his mom and dad for the 26-mile Mother’s Day Truck Convoy in Lancaster.
Mike’s long-time Wish Kid, Hailey, says that after all these years, she is now a part of the Kindt extended family.
S&H Express, Number 6 of the Top 10 trucks in the 106-truck Gettysburg Truck Convoy for Wishes. Our S&H Express driver, shown above with his Wish Kid and siblings, is already planning for the 2023 Convoy!
Thousands of family members and supporters line the Convoy route to cheer the drivers and Make-A-Wish kids. Our drivers arrived in Gettysburg at 6:00 am so that they could be together when the Convoy began. Thank you, Kirby Simpson, for taking time out of your Saturday to make sure that our trucks were spotless!
Many thanks to our 2023 drivers: Lisa Frock Rineholt, Danny McCleary, Stacy Strausbaugh, Chris Giffin, Terry Smith, Josh McCann, Ryan Hughes, and Mike Kindt. See you in 2024!