WINNIPEG, Man. — The Manitoba Truckers “Wheelin’ for Kids” golf tournament has raised $50,000 for the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation, a three-year event that has raised a total of $135,000.

The funds are being used to enable Manitoba’s children living with special needs to have the “wheels” and transportation devices they need to live an active life in their communities. Funds have been used to purchase specialized strollers to replace heavy wheelchairs, for easy transportability; electric wheelchairs with special controls for easy use by children; van (vehicle) adjustments for easy transport by families; walkers; and specialized bicycles.

“Thanks to such a caring and dedicated community of truckers, hundreds of Manitoba’s children will be living with greater freedom of movement, and enjoying travel with their families and friends in safety and in comfort,” states the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation, in a statement released after the fundraising event.

“The Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation honours their continued and generous commitment to meeting the needs of children living with disabilities and special needs.”

Tournament sponsors included: Beaver Truck Centre (as title and organizing sponsor), Volvo Trucks Canada, Volvo Financial Services, Bison Transport, Johnson Waste Management, and Searcy Trucking.

Silver sponsors included ArvinMeritor Canada, Chevron, Eaton, Fleet Guard, Murray Kozie Trucking, Ocean Trailer, Paramount Truck Lines, Winnipeg Sandblasting, TD Commercial Banking, Cummins Western Canada, Derricks Sandblasting, and Building Products.

Golf hole sponsors were: Darcol, Eastside Heavy Truck, Meyers Norris Penny, J.T.I. Trucking, Gallagher Lambert Group, Paul’s Hauling, Len Dubois Trucking, Hendrickson, Uni Jet, Gardwine, and Querel Trailer, Manitoba Blue Cross, Paul Cloutier Financial, Custom Transport, Carrier Fire & Safety, Packers Logistics, Arnold Brothers, Murray McDonald, John Mauseth, and John Enns.

The organizing committee at the Beaver Truck Centre was chaired by Barry Searcy with members Karen Iverson, Brian McDowell, Verne Strahl and Gary Shaw, the latter who encouraged Manitoba’s trucking community to help out children with disabilities.