Port Manatee shows appreciation to truck drivers

At Port Manatee, we believe in sharing our appreciation of all of the hardworking people of the supply chain that flows across our docks and through our gates.

In particular, we had the privilege last month of again recognizing truck drivers with a free picnic-style lunch on Trucker Appreciation Day. Moreover, that gratitude is now being extended year-round thanks to the Truckers Center dedicated that same day by the not-for-profit Anchor House Mission.

Indeed, May 12 was an extra-special day outside the main gate complex of Port Manatee, with more than 400 hot dogs and hamburgers served to nearly 300 truckers at our second annual Trucker Appreciation Day event and with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Anchor House’s Truckers Center.

For nearly 25 years, Anchor House, from its near-dock location on the port, has been meeting spiritual, physical and emotional needs of seafarers from throughout the world when they call at Port Manatee. With the Truckers Center having opened its doors in a renovated building just outside the port’s primary entrance, the mission is extending its kindness to include truckers who, like the ship crew members, find themselves away from their families and home churches.

Tim Huppert, executive director and chaplain of the Anchor House Mission, estimates that between 4,000 and 6,000 mariners a year come through the doors of the ministry’s near-dock center. With almost 200 truckers passing through Port Manatee gates on a typical day, he sees significant opportunity for outreach to the professional driver community as well.

We are truly honored by the positive feedback from truckers, who say the support shown at Port Manatee is unlike any they’ve encountered at other ports.

As has been wisely said for centuries in various ways by so many – from Aesop, Sophocles and Alexander the Great to the Dalai Lama, Albert Schweitzer and Mother Teresa – a little kindness really does go a long way.

It bears note that Trucker Appreciation Day would not have been possible without the volunteer efforts of numerous members of the Port Manatee team and sponsors including Logistec Gulf Coast LLC, Federal Marine Terminals Inc., Arrow Terminals Inc., World Direct Shipping, TransMontaigne Partners LP and Manatee Truck & Trailer Wash LLC.

Port Manatee, the Port of Port Manatee Propeller Club, TravelCenters of America, Pilot Travel Centers LLC and Wildwood-based 75 Chrome Shop furnished drivers giveaway items, including T-shirts, caps, calendars and notebooks with pens.

Hundreds of professional drivers are among the more than 24,000 whose jobs are supported by Port Manatee as it provides an annual economic contribution to our region of more than $2.3 billion.

This story was originally published June 18, 2017 at 8:35 AM with the headline "Port Manatee shows appreciation to truck drivers."