Don Blake, Inland Kenworth–Phoenix new truck sales manager recently received the Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) Champion Award at the ATA Management Conference and Exhibition held in San Diego. The TAT Champion Award annually recognizes and honors individuals who have found innovative ways to support TAT’s mission to fight human trafficking.
“Truckers Against Trafficking is a tremendous organization that’s helping save countless lives through its educational programs that have trained more than 1.3 million truck drivers and others in our industry how to identify and report possible human trafficking cases,” said Blake, who also serves on the TAT board of directors in addition to his role at Inland Kenworth – Phoenix. “It’s truly an honor to receive the TAT Champion Award and I look forward to continuing to work with TAT to raise awareness of human trafficking in our industry.”
In the past five years, Blake has spearheaded the effort to build two special “Everyday Heroes” Kenworth T680s and a T680 Next Gen that were sold at auction with all proceeds going to TAT. Blake received significant support from key sponsors including Kenworth Truck Company and Inland Kenworth to offset the costs to build the trucks. The “Everyday Heroes” trucks were specially wrapped to help promote the organization’s mission on the road.
Last year, an “Everyday Heroes” Kenworth T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper, and PACCAR Powertrain featuring a 510-hp PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission and PACCAR DX-40 rear axles was sold to Vancouver, Washington-based Freestyle Transportation. The sale of the truck in addition to extra truck sponsor donations from industry suppliers generated $328,000, making it the single largest donation TAT has received to date. Combined, the three “Everyday Heroes” truck auctions have raised more than $573,000 for TAT.
TAT is a 501(c)3 non-profit devoted to stopping human trafficking by educating, mobilizing, and empowering the nation’s truck drivers and rest stop employees.
