Midwest Pride in Your Ride honors Toenjes

Published by admin on Wed, 05/23/2018 - 12:46pm

Doug Toenjes from Monticello (far left) was honored May 5 at the Midwest Pride in Your Ride event in Earlville. They presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to individuals in the trucking industry. Toenjes has been driving semi for 55 years. Also pictured are Bob Zimmerly of Independence and George Heisler of Farley. (Photo submitted)

     On May 4 and 5, at the Tri-State Raceway in Earlville, Iowa, the “Midwest Pride in Your Ride” Truck and Tractor Show raised $56,919, to benefit the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Dyersville for the fight against cancer. This brings the events eight-year total to $584,600!

     A group of local volunteers raised money through an event auction, survivor convoy, truck drag racing, truck pull, generous sponsors and vendors, and a variety of other events over the course of the weekend.

     This year, also, kicked off a new tradition for the event, the “Lifetime Achievement Award.” This award honors individuals in the trucking industry with over 25 years’ experience as an owner-operator or employed with the same company for that period. The first recipients have over 155 years of combined experience. Those honored this year include: Doug Toenjes, Monticello, an owner-operator for 55 years; George Heisler, Farley, employed with Simon’s Trucking for 46 years; and Bob Zimmerly, Independence, who was employed with Jensen Transport for 43 years.

     “There is a tremendous outpouring of support from this community. The Midwest Pride In Your Ride Event is just one way this area fights back against cancer. We are extremely grateful to the organizers of this event and their generous donation,” said Jodi Federspiel, American Cancer Society community relations staff partner. “Cancer has touched so many of us, and the money raised funds research, programs, and services to cancer patients’ right here in Iowa.”

     Special thanks go out to Eldon and Barb Jaeger, Doug DeShaw, and all the members of the event planning committee, sponsors, and all volunteers.

     The American Cancer Society Dyersville Area Relay For Life will take place Friday, Aug. 3, at Dyersville Beckman High School beginning at 6 p.m. For information on becoming a part of the Relay For Life, contact Event Leads Cindy Willenborg, 563-590-2579, or Sonja Ramirez at 563-875-2825, or visit the event website, www.relayforlife.org/dyersvilleia. If you would like more information on, “Midwest Pride In Your Ride,” visit www.midwestprideinyourride.org.

 

Category:

Subscriber Login