We believe philanthropy is part of what separates Pilot Flying J from the rest, and when it comes to causes that are important to us, veterans are at the top of the list. In the spirit of celebration for our Nation’s birthday this month, we are honored to support two organizations that give combat-wounded veterans a chance at independence and mobility. Sponsored jointly by the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) and Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS), the 2017 Purple Heart Run features a mobility-equipped, 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor truck, adapted to accommodate a Purple Heart recipient who will receive the truck in Dallas at the end of the journey.
Driven exclusively by amputee Veterans and powered exclusively by Pilot Flying J fuel, the Purple Heart Run is making its way from coast-to-coast and back on an 8,500-mile odyssey, rallying communities across America to thank military veterans and support the mission. The Purple Heart Run began at the foot of the Washington Monument on the National Mall in our Nation’s Capitol on July 1, and will conclude in Dallas, Texas, on August 13, at the MOPH National Convention where keys to the truck will be presented to Marine Sergeant (Ret.) Marshall Kennedy, a Purple Heart recipient from Farmington, Arkansas. He was chosen from a nation-wide search of deserving nominees. Patriot Kennedy was on his fourth deployment when he lost both of his legs and sustained severe damage to his left arm after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Sangin, Afghanistan.
As part of the 35-city tour, the truck made a special visit to Pilot Flying J headquarters on July 10, to thank us for our support. We sat down with Will Haslam, Pilot Flying J’s Director of Giving Back and grandson to the Founder, Jim Haslam, to get this thoughts on philanthropy and the Purple Heart Run.
Q: Tell us about the Purple Heart Run and your experience with the team at the Military Order of the Purple Heart and Wounded Warriors Family Support.
A: I thought it was a great event. The truck made a stop at our Sales and Support Center and at one of our Pilot locations. We are proud to work with both organizations and humbled by the sacrifice of all Purple Heart recipients. This is a very small way we can show our gratitude for their sacrifice while raising awareness for two great organizations that are providing the truck.
Q: How has the response been from Pilot Flying J Team Members?
A: Everybody was really enthusiastic to see the truck. We had approximately one hundred Team Members who chose to make individual donations to sign the truck. The feedback from all of our stores, as the truck has been traveling around the country stopping for gas at our locations, has been very positive. All our Team Members have been thrilled to see the truck and take pictures with it. Many of our Team Members across the country are veterans and this is also in honor of them.
Q: How important is philanthropy to the culture at Pilot Flying J?
A: I would say it’s foundational. It’s foundational to our culture, not only of the company but for our family, and it’s a reflection of the heart of our founder. We all get a tremendous amount of joy out of being able to give back.
Q: What would your grandfather say about philanthropy?
A: He reminds us every chance he gets that to whom much is given, much is required. He always says, the best way to help yourself is to help someone else. Nothing will make you feel better than doing something for someone else.
Q: Why is it so important to you and the Haslam family to support Veterans?
A: Number one, my grandfather is a veteran, he was deployed to Korea. Number two, any time we talk to drivers about issues that matter to them, veterans are always at or near the top of the list. And finally, a number of professional drivers, guests and our Team Members are veterans. We’re humbled by the sacrifice of these men and women. We just want to say thanks in as many ways as we can.
Follow the Purple Heart Run journey at https://www.facebook.com/NationalMOPH/
