In The News
Annual Make-A-Wish Convoy set for Mother's Day
LANCASTER, Pa. — One of the happiest traffic jams of the year takes place every Mother's Day in Lancaster.
For 26 years, hundreds of trucks have gathered in a convoy to raise money for Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Northern Delaware & Susquehanna Valley, a charity that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
This year, Mother's Day is May 8.
The event began in 1990 when a young man named Matt requested a wish to ride in an 18-wheeler and speak to his sister on a CB radio.
Over 40 trucks and drivers showed up to grant the wish and the Mother's Day Truck Convoy was conceived.
Over the years the number of trucks has grown to almost 400 with over 100 wish children as passengers riding each year.
The event draws approximately 5,000 people that come to see the trucks, attend an auction, play games and enjoy delicious local food.
"The Netherlands now holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for 'World's Longest Truck Convoy,' with 416 trucks, but we hope to win it back this year by drawing 500 trucks," said Benjamin Lee, regional director of the Make-A-Wish chapter of Philadelphia, Northern Delaware & Susquehanna Valley.
The event officially begins at 8:30 a.m. and continues until 5 p.m., but breakfast will be served starting at 6 a.m.
Food sales will continue through 3:30 p.m., although drinks will be available until 4 p.m.
Trucks will gather in the Burle Business Center parking at 1054 New Holland Avenue and depart at 1:30 p.m.
The convoy will go west on Route 30, take Route 222 North to Brownstown exit, take 272 North through Akron to Ephrata to State Street to Route 322 East, take Route 322 East through Ephrata to Route 222 South, take Route 222 South to Route 30 East to the Walnut Street exit and return to Burle Business Center parking lot.
The presenting sponsor for the event this year is the RoadPro Family of Brands.
Drivers wishing more information can visit http://philasv.wish.org/ways-to-help/convoy/driver-information or call (717) 283-4878.
The Trucker staff can be reached to comment on this article at [email protected].