BOLTON, Ont. – Canada celebrated National Trucking Week Sept. 11 to 18 this year and Cavalier Transport of Bolton, Ont. took the opportunity to mark the occasion with good food and good fun.

“You can never do enough for your employees,” said George Ledson, president of Cavalier Transport. “People in our industry often think they are not thought of or appreciated, so it’s great to take this opportunity to go out of your way or do a little extra for them.”

The appreciation week was a good idea from the get-go, said Ledson, because the trucking industry is such a vital link in the supply chain. Those who are in a position to appreciate the work done within the industry should take advantage of the opportunity to celebrate, he said.

This year, Cavalier held a BBQ at the Rotary Club, to which the company made a donation. Organizers spent the entire day serving any drivers who stopped by the terminal.

“I like the relationship we have with the Rotary Club,” said Ledson. “I like helping the community while at the same time helping out my employees and the company.”

But Ledson said he doesn’t limit himself to National Trucking Week when it comes to showing appreciation for his drivers.

His drivers concurred.

“The company often has things going on that the drivers can participate in,” said driver Leonard Luttrell, who has been driving the Toronto-Chicago route for Cavalier for six years now. “They treat us really well.”

Ledson said he thinks that participation in National Trucking Week activities is on the increase.

“Each year, more and more companies get involved in some way,” said Ledson. “It’s just too bad that the U.S. appreciation week doesn’t fall in line with the Canadian week so that we can combine our efforts with our neighbours to the south.”

Luttrell agreed it would make sense to hold U.S. and Canada festivities during the same week, since the underlying purpose is the same and many drivers travel through both countries.

One of the main objectives of National Trucking Week is to educate the public.

“We are still falling short on the education of the general public, but it is getting better,” said Luttrell. “The roadways have changed so much over the years, we no longer seem to have time to do the ‘white knight’ type of duties on the road. There is an awful lot of anger and anxiety out there and I think that we, as an industry, have a responsibility to help the public learn about what we do.”

For more information about National Trucking Week, visit www.cantruck.com