TMC Participates in Convoy for Special Olympics Iowa
on Wednesday, September 17, 2025
in
Company News
On Saturday, September 13, TMC was proud to take part in the twentieth annual Truck Convoy for Special Olympics Iowa.
We’ve been part of this event throughout its entire 20-year history. The convoy raises money for the Special Olympics and seeks to change attitudes about people with intellectual disabilities. In recent years, we’ve also expanded our involvement with the organization by taking part in the South Carolina Special Olympics Convoy.
Preparing for the Convoy
Though the convoy itself was held on Saturday morning in Des Moines, preparation began much earlier. Drivers taking part in the convoy had to be routed into Des Moines, where they spent countless hours cleaning and polishing their trucks. Our office and maintenance staff also coordinated drivers’ schedules, assisted with cleaning the trucks, and made sure everything was ready to go for Saturday’s event.
Drivers Tony Kimmerly and Carlos Burris, who have both been part of the convoy for about 12 years, said they got to TMC’s Des Moines terminal a few days early and had spent more than 10 hours getting their trucks ready for the convoy.
“We make sure the trucks are really clean and polished,” Tony said as he was putting the finishing touches on his truck. “We started yesterday,” he noted on Friday afternoon.
Both drivers said that the work is more than worth it to be part of the convoy and have the chance to support the Special Olympics athletes, who love the trucks and get a thrill out of seeing the convoy. Many athletes also have the opportunity to do a ride-along with a driver.
In particular, Carlos remembered one Special Olympian who rode in his truck three years in a row. The two developed a friendship and looked forward to seeing each other at the annual convoy.
“If you can be over there to see the kids, you’ll see why we do this,” Carlos said. “Those kids have a smile from ear to ear.”
The Day of the Convoy
On Saturday morning, TMC bid for—and won—the prestigious lead spot in the convoy. Rob Hoffman, a 20-year TMC driver with more than two million safe miles, was selected to drive the lead truck.
In addition to the 20 drivers who took part in the convoy, many TMC office staff also came out to cheer them on. The event raised more than $25,000 for Special Olympics Iowa.
TMC is so proud to support the Special Olympics in both Iowa and South Carolina. Thank you to all of our drivers and office staff who made this event a success!