Total fundraising for the 2023 Mother’s Day Truck Caravan

This year’s Mother’s Day truck convoy raised $553,838, Make-A-Wish announced Thursday. This is the second highest total in the event’s history. The funds will help fulfill 75% of the wishes of seriously ill children in the Susquehanna Valley this year. During the 2023 event, 395 trucks drove the 26-mile convoy through Lancaster County, and 50 Wish Kids rode along the way. “The 34th Annual Caravan was an amazing success thanks to the drivers, wish families, volunteers and all who attended,” said Committee Chairman Terry Finch. Top 30 Drivers of 2023 Michael Kindt: $36,938 Marvin Souder: $27,545 Rodney Howard: $14,000 Darrell Miller: $12,159.29 Bob Gray: $11,979.80 Site Construction: $11,072.95 Jeffrey Lyde: $10,514.94 Will Tutton: $10,374 Tim Rohrer: 10,347.50 $ Chris Hess: $9.32 $3.50 Betty Nields: $8,620.00 Lenny Heiser: $7,330 Michael Patz: $6,860.80 Tim Potts: $6,705 Carl Heiser: $6,108.13 Matthew Illingsworth: $5,523.75 Paul Reinbold: $5,412.50 Donald Steiner: 5 ,$385.78 Rup Finch: $5,207.25 Kenny Powter: $4,480.25 John Wilhelm: $4,263.75 Jacob Brubaker: $4,261.25 Dave Snavely: $4,212.50 Roman Lantz: $3,772.50 Richard Meier: $3,627 Kevin Jones: $3,422.50 Tim Kaufman: $3,292 Elizabeth Stevens: $3,208.52 Caleb Bosley: $2,950 Keith Wagner: $2,840 Video Below: Driver Shares Truck Caravan Memories Truck Caravan History The idea for a Mother’s Day Truck Caravan started with Wish Kid Matt Strausser. He was fascinated by big rigs, so it was no surprise that he wanted to ride in one and talk to his sister over the CB radio. Ken Lakhoff, a Make-A-Wish board member and president of Teamsters Local #771 at the time, decided to fulfill that wish. He reached out to several companies, asking if they would be willing to donate a truck and a driver who could deliver Matt. Ken eventually heard back with the good news that companies wanted to participate and take Wish Kid for a drive. With eight committed companies, the Mother’s Day Truck Convoy idea was officially put into action. After an article inviting more trucking companies to participate was published in the local newspaper, the number of companies wanting to join in the fun rose to 44. With many more trucks expected to participate, all Wish Kids in the Lancaster area were also participating. They were invited to ride in trucks. The first Mother’s Day Truck Caravan is scheduled for that year: May 13, 1990. Next Year’s Caravan The 35th Annual Mother’s Day Truck Caravan is scheduled for Sunday, May 12, 2024 at the Manheim Pennsylvania Auto Auction. The 2024 Drivers Fundraiser will begin on October 16, 2023 at wishconvoy.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Lori Dietrich at ldietrich@philadesv.wish.org.