JOPLIN, Mo. - Twenty-three deserving charities in eight cities across the U.S., Mexico and Canada received donations from some 3,500 employees of CFI, a subsidiary of TFI International Inc. (TSX: TFII, OTCQX: TFIFF), as the North America full-truckload carrier distributed the proceeds from its annual Truckloads of Treasures holiday giving campaign this December.
CFI employees at Joplin, MO 2017 shopping spree for Truckloads of Treasures campaign
CFI employees at Joplin, MO 2017 shopping spree for Truckloads of Treasures campaign
A longstanding tradition unique to the family-friendly, driver-focused culture that's a hallmark of CFI, Truckload of Treasures was established in 1993.  Now in its 24th consecutive year, the 2017 campaign raised a goal-breaking $54,000 - with funds 100 percent contributed by employees and independent contractors. “Every year I look forward to Truckloads of Treasures as one of my favorite annual events,” said Tim Staroba, President, CFI. “It's part of our culture to recognize the needs of our communities and support efforts to give back and help those less fortunate.  I could not be more proud of our employees who once again have outdone themselves with their generosity. We are proud to support such meaningful charities in Joplin and those communities where members of the CFI family live and work.” The campaign supported 14 charities in CFI's headquarters of Joplin, Mo., with checks for $4,500 going to the area's “Shop with a Cop” efforts, $1,500 each to Joplin Early Childhood Bright Futures, Layfette House and Community Clinic of Joplin. At the Shopping Spree, $500 each was distributed to the Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Missouri, Camp Quality, Pro Musica, Area Agency on Aging, Children’s Haven, Ronald McDonald House of the Four States and Art Feeds. Donations were also made to charities in other cities where CFI employees live and work. These included Laredo and Dallas, Texas; West Memphis, Arkansas; Taylor, Michigan; and Ontario, Canada. Employees of CFI Logistica, the company's Mexico subsidiary, also supported charities in Monterrey, Mexico City and Guadalajara. In Joplin, CFI held its annual "Shopping Spree" providing holiday cheer for local children and elderly in need. Employee volunteers joined by family, friends and community members took over the local Target store in Joplin, and filled shopping carts to the brim, checking off lists of items submitted by local residents through the Salvation Army. Donations were raised through a company-wide raffle with prizes including airline ticket vouchers, gift cards for retailers such as Target, Best Buy, Apple, Amazon, Bass Pro Shops and Stub Hub, and other prizes. All prizes were purchased and donated by CFI's executive management team. The raffle also included drawings awarding paid days off, and a special drawing awarding one- and two-weeks paid time off. Additional funds were raised through bake sales, a chili cook-off, book fairs and separate auctions of locally-donated prizes. In addition, employees partnered with service organizations throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada to provide holiday gifts and food for underserved children and senior citizens. CFI's philanthropic efforts in 2017 also included the provision of nearly $46,000 of in-kind transportation services for two nationwide charitable organizations. The pro-bono services supported Holy Joe's Cafe, which sends donated Green Mountain coffee to U.S. troops stationed in 70 countries, and Wreaths Across America, which each year during the holiday season honors more than a million fallen U.S. veterans and their sacrifices for our freedom by placing remembrance wreaths at their grave sites. Since inception, Truckloads of Treasures has raised nearly $750,000 for local charities.