Ontario leg of world’s longest convoy comes up golden

PARIS, Ont. — Southern Ontario’s first Special Olympics Convoy was a smashing success. Part of the “World’s Largest Truck Convoy” program, created in 2000 to raise money for Special Olympics athletes, the southern Ontario chapter raised proceeds of $30,000.

The event took place on September 10 in Paris, Ont., and saw 59 trucks running in convoy formation from Paris, Ont. — located about 40 miles west of Toronto — west along Highways 403 and 401 to Putnam Ont., before turning back to the Paris Fairgrounds.

In all, close to 70 trucks registered for the event. Each of the drivers ponied up a $100 entry fee, and many went above that in getting sponsorship for their ride in the Convoy. Lead truck winner, Stephane Gauthier, had been selling convoy T-shirts and pictures of his truck for months in advance. In all, Gauthier raised $6,018. Several other drivers topped the one thousand dollar mark by a fair margin.

Inaugural Ontario Special Olympics Convoy en route

Markel came in at the last minute, literally — 11:30 p.m. Friday night — with a $5,000 donation, and graciously took the rear spot in the convoy.

CB chatter was very supportive, with many who came upon the convoy assuming it was an escorted fuel price protest. The convoy drivers set the record straight, and several drivers not initially in the convoy, joined in and went back to Paris for the festivities, which included a softball game between drivers and the SO athletes.

Umpire, Rolf Lockwood, who also moonlights as editorial director of Today’s Trucking and highwaySTAR magazines, made a mercy call and ended the game after four innings with the SO athletes ahead 17 to 2.

OPP Constable Peter Penman said he was quite impressed with the professionalism and the organization of the event, and said they’d give the event a green light again next year.

Part of the deal for the athletes was a chance to judge the trucks for the “Best of Convoy” award. Terri Foshay, Mike Holland, and Darlene Teal, who raised $760 between them, thus earning the judging privileges, reviewed the fleet upon return to the fairgrounds. First place went to Larry Josie of TOB Enterprises; second place went to Carrier Truck Centres’ CTX entry, driven by Brenda Braund; and third went to Convoy leader, Stephan Gauthier.

Event organizer — though she is loath to take her share of the credit — Tammy Blackwell, says she was overwhelmed by the efforts and the generosity of the drivers and sponsors who made it all happen.

“We were really pleased with the results of this first event,” she says. “We’ve got a solid foundation to build on for next year, and we’ve established good relationships with the drivers, athletes, law enforcement, and our volunteer organizers. I do want to say a heart-felt thank you to all the sponsors and pledgers. Without their generosity and energy driving the convoy, we couldn’t have achieved this success.”