The final Count is done

The final count of all donations is out. We would like to thank all sponsors, participants, volonteers that made it happen for the 1st Convoy in Quebec

$22,346.00

The organizing comittee for the 2007 Convoy
Left to right, front to back
Jean Catudal co-founder of the event, Richard Tremblay, Jacqueline Gagné, Susanne Smyth co-founder, Mycheline Gagné, Sgt Marc Ratté SPVM, Gaétan Houle, Pierre Bélanger Special Olympics, Dany Chrétien, Cst Mary Jack SPVM

The 2007 Convoy, A Success All The Way!

An impressive escort from the Law Enforcement Torch Run opened the way to the convoy in the streets of Trois Rivieres and on Autoroute 40.

Many had pearls on their cheeks overwhelmed by the emotions as the convoy entered the fairgrounds in front of the stadium. To ear from the Autoroute, the whaling of the sirens, all the lights on the motorcade and the sounds of all kind of air horns from different trucks was a very moving moment for all.

The second moment of emotions was the announcement of the tally. A total of 115 participants with commercial vehicles of all kind that broke the Canadian record for a first edition of a convoy.

The generosity and the open heart of all the women and men that are the soul of the trucking industry, the organisation of the convoy was able to give to Special Olympics Quebec the sum of $20,000.00 to help the athletes with their cause. You all took up the challenge to be “United for a same cause”.

There is still some accounting left to be done so we can close the books on this first convoy. The final statement will be published in the November issue of Transport Magazine.

Thank you, 115 times thank you!

More pictures will be posted shortly

More Sponsors Are Adding Up!

At a time we thought it could be almost impossible, three new sponsors have signed up with us. All three are mostly giving generous amounts of gifts for the drivers and two of them are going the extra mile with the employees to make it a found raising event to register their trucks.

Ultramar Canada w ill be a great gift donator for the day. Many useful items for drivers will end up in the goody bags drivers will receive on arrival.

A group of drivers of Normandin Tr ansit in Napierville lead by Steve “Bagage” Murphy are to organise an end of summer grill at the home base on September 20^th. All profits of that hot dog grilling day are to be handed out to the Convoy. Also, Steve got us caps from Normandin, from Kenworth and I think he still has a few surprises for all of us on the 22^nd.

Drivers from Cascades Papers went also the extra mile by organizing a Go-kart day that turned into a week-end because of the weather, this past Saturday. This was for them the way to collect as much as possible for their bid on the lead truck.

What team will get it? The Blues of Normandin or the Greens of Cascades? Unless a surprise shows up on the 22^nd! You will know that at the briefing of the drivers Saturday morning.

Again a big thank you from us to these teams going the extra mile.

For The True Habs Fan and Collector!

A big thank you from all the team at the convoy to Mr Pierre Boivin President and to Ms Marie-Claude Pinel, his assistant, of the Canadien Hockey Club for this official game shirt signed by all of the 2006-2007 edition of our Glorieux. This collectible item was generously given to us by the director of the club.

Tickets for the raffle will be available exclusively to persons on the site of the convoy in Trois Rivieres this coming September 22^nd . No pre-sale, no purchase limit. The lucky winner will hold a piece of the tradition of the Canadien and it will become a priceless item over the years.

Interested? Bring your pocket change!

We also have another nice surprise for you. What about a pair of tickets to the pre-season game of the Canadien against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night the 22^nd? You will have to plan a backhaul to Montreal. Another big thank you from all the other members of the convoy to Richard Tremblay for this generous gift.

Directions to the Convoy

Very simple. The Terrain de l’Exposition is located on the Boul. Des Recollets, north of exit 199 on Autoroute 40.

The north entrance, on Papineau, is the one we will use to welcome you and guide you to the parking area.

Indication from the off ramp are to be in place to help you out.

For the visuals, here is a map of the area (Click on map to enlarge).

The Convoy on air, in truck stops and new sponsors.

It’s moving and we are feeling the impatience of participants. This day will be one to remember. Last week, one hour on Livraison Spéciale XM172. This week, Thursday the 16^th it will be on Radio-Canada around 10:05am and the same day Susanne will be at the 730 Truck Stop in Cardinal to take your registrations and to hand out forms to you. This is during Bob Lodge’s Driver Appreciation day.

The 20^th, it’s 98.5 in Montreal that will give us air time during the drive show of Paul Houde. This is without putting aside the time that Dave Nemo, Bill Mack and Dave “Trucking Bozo” Summers are kindly giving us on Open Road XM171.

This morning, a great news came in. The CFTC has given us their support by being a Bronze sponsor to the event. A big Thank You to them. Maybe a challenge to all other heavy truck driving schools!

The “Centre du Camion Paré” has also given us their support as a Bronze sponsor. Another big Thank You to Normand Paré.

Other news to come soon!

PLAY BALL!!!

Saturday august 4th members of the organizing comittee had the pleasure to meet at the Park Bernier of Drummondville the local Special Olympics Softball team the Dragons and the team of Trois Rivieres the Aigles. Jonathan Dupont, our athlete spokesperson is a member of that team that has split the honours of a double header.

Ladies and Gentlemen drivers, during that special event day, don't forget to bring your ball glove, bat or any other personnal equipment you may need for a friendly softball game against these players.

Just a reminder that the athletes of Special Olympics are not physically challenged persons; they are persons with intellectual challenges. They bloom among us through sports. Many of them can make a good contact with the ball!

We are expecting you for what will become an annual classic between the drivers and the athletes September 22^nd in the afternoon. Prizes will be given to participants that will challenge them in a game ruled by S.O.

5 innings per game
5 points per inning
No foul ball limit

The trainers of the Aigles have promised us they won’t be too hard on the drivers

The whole schedule of the day for the Convoy will be published shortly. Expect a memorable day for all.

Special Promotion Items

With the collaboration of "La Verrerie", we can offer you a selected range of souvenir items. You can save the shipping charge by ordering before the end of August. You will receive you order at the Convoy on September 22nd. Part of the sale price is given to the convoy. Another way to support the athletes.


Here they are

This is my favorite!
A very nice set of glass coffee cups with the Convoi's logo
Sold in box set of 6






You prefer beer?

These original beer glasses are your item. Everytime you will "Crack open a cold one" you will remember the nice day you had with the Convoi.

Sold in box set of 6






Cool drinks is your way!

These multi usage glasses are the ones for you. Either cola, ice tea, or a Long Island Iced Tea, you will be able remember this special day too.

Sold in box set of 6







If wine is your thing, you are not forgotten.

This set of 6 wine glasses and a decantur wil allow you to share your sovenirs with family and friends. Who knows, you may bring a friend along next year!


For more information on La Verrerie, visit their web site www.laverrerie.ca
For the Convoi's special items and to help the found raiser, www.laverreriecatalogue.com/convoi or simply go to the links on the right of this page.

New Sponsors

We are pleased to announce new sponsors that have joined in with us for the convoy.

The conceptors of Blind Side Helper have joined us for the cause.

Lettrage Launier, the place that did the wonderful work for lettering the trailer.

Tansport Dany Chrétien for supplying the trailer walls that are traveling all across North America.

Thank you for your generosity!

Please support our sponsors by contacting them for your needs

As Told on Livraison Speciale

Our good friend Geant Vert today called in to ask drivers to sign up!

"Many are saying, we will see you on the 22nd, but not a whole lot are signed in yet. Don't wait at the last minute" he said on air today

Event if you have until August 31st, the sooner we know how many will be there, the better. We have a lot of surprises and goodies to get ready for you. I hope you were not expecting to leave empty handed for the donation you will do!

To reach us, the infos are on top od the right margin. Registration forms are available at
www.olympiquesspeciaux.qc.ca then clic on the logo of the convoi and you can switch the page to english on the top.The link to download the pdf form is in the middle of the page.


For any other information, give us a call at 450-789-0055

The First Official Inscription

During our visit in Donnacona at the Festival du Routier, we were pleased to receive the very first official inscription. Réjean Gosselin from Québec City turned in his registration form and his check to Susanne Smyth President of the Committee.

During the event and at the XM172 driver appreciation day, many of you made pledges to be there and if all of you that took registration packets at the events we showed up, a new record will be established in Quebec!

We have an inside challenge. If we have more then 100 trucks, I (Jean) must do some cartwheels. If we have more then 200, Susanne will do some. If the standing record of the World's Largest Truck Convoy is broken, get ready to see some hair fall off of Dany's head. A total shave. I'm getting the wireless clipper charged up for the occasion hoping I will have to use it!!!

Look for us at many truck events during the summer in Quebec. If you need more information, give us a call at (450) 789-0055, or by email convoi.qc.os@sympatico.ca

Drivers Appreciation Day June 22nd

Transport Magazine and XM172 are inviting professional drivers to an appreciation day as Mister Mayor Gendron of Huntington Qc will make his debut with XM.

Susanne Smyth and Gaétan Houle will be there to answer all your questions about the Convoy. They will be at the little gray station wagon with the Convoy logos on the rear windows.

Stop by to say hi and take the time to sign up!

It's on the road!

Be on the look out on the roads of North America for our friend Dany "Toto" Chretien at the wheel of his Volvo hauling the Quebec Convoy trailer.

Wave at him and if you have any questions, please fell free to ask him. You can also look for
Suzan "Mom" Sidwel
Richard "Geantvert" Tremblay
Jean "Coffee Monster" Catudal
You can recognise them by the "Convoi" logos on their trucks.

Drive safely and we hope to see you on September 22nd 2007!

Nice Effort to Support the Convoy

Being an XM subscriber, I often listen to “Livraison Spéciale” with Jacques Plante on 172. Jacques had the idea to participate with the “Adopt a Trucker” program helped by his listeners. We appreciate the effort for the cause because he brought in with him Jean-François Plante from Radio XTRM in the afternoon show.

This gave me an idea!

With the theme “Take up The Challenge”, I ask to all other radio hosts, at XM, on traditional radio or TV to do the same. This would also meet our other theme, “United in a same Cause”.

You will find shortly on the blog links to the different hosts that will follow their lead.

Thank you for you support and your efforts.

Adopt a Trucker, Another way to Take up the Challenge

Knowing that we all have our hard times, it’s not easy for everybody to come up with the registration fee for the truck. It’s the reason why there is the “Adopt a Trucker” program. This is a way a participant can ease on the cost and have the possibility to bring in even more.

How?

Real easy! Just download the registration form on the web site of the convoy, send us an email to get it, by phone or good old snail mail to get the packet and look at page 3. This is the page that allows you to collect funds at family functions, soft-ball games, among customers, friends in other words, whoever you know. You can assure these generous sponsors that Special Olympics Quebec will issue them a receipt for their donation. Special Olympics Quebec is a registered non-profit organisation.

In return you will get, if you are a top three to collect funds this way:

A choice of position in the convoy accordingly to the amount collected
Your name in future adds and promotions of the convoy
A good feeling from making a difference for someone

For more information, please feel free to contact us

First "Platinium" Sponsor

The organizing committee of the World's Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics Quebec is proud to announce the first "Platinium" sponsor for our September 22nd event.

Going along with their vision, "Plus près des gens"(Closer to the people), Transport Magazine will offer us a great visibility to all members of the trucking community in Quebec. Look out for the coming issues!

A big Thank You to Michel Gilbert and his team at Transport Magazine for their support.

You can find a link in the right sidebar under "Useful Link" to reach them.

And the Winner is!

The lucky winner of the miniature truck of the convoy is Jean-CLaude George of Saint-Polycarpe. Jean-CLaude is presently a student at CFTR and will soon join the family of Professional Drivers. If you have any ideas for his training, leave him a work here he is looking for a good company.

Our presence at Expocam Was a Hit!

What can we say about our three days at the truck show Expocam? We appreciated to meet with you drivers and make our event known to start the first of a series of convoys here in Quebec. This made it up for the sore legs and backs to be able to have this meeting marathon. The main event of the show for us was the visit of Melissa and Eddy.

Melissa is an interior hockey player for Special Olympics and Eddy is a swimmer on the Special Olympics team. Their visit was hearth warming. They greatly appreciate the effort we are putting in with the convoy. This will help them to participate to the next games and exceed themselves in sports they like to practice.

Quebec City will be the host of the winter Special Olympics for Canada in 2008, which will be part of the 400^th anniversary celebrations of the city’s foundation.

Those that picked up some registration forms and other information at our booth, you only have to fill them up and return the paperwork so you can be assured of your place in the convoy. Don’t forget page 3! The one that will get the most private sponsors will get the lead truck position!

Come back often to visit this blog. All the latest news and information will be posted as soon as possible. This event will become a date that many will mark for years to come.

On the picture left to right
Sgt Marc Ratté of the Torch Run, Suzan Sidwell, Richard Tremblay, Jacqueline Gagné, Jean Catudal Susanne Smyth (from the organizing committee of the Convoy), Isabelle Montpetit of Special Olympics Quebec, Agt Mary Jack of the Torch Run
Sitting in front
Eddy and Melissa

Absent on the picture Mycheline Gagné and Dany Chrétien