By Nickisha Rashid

Drivers and carriers are gearing up to give back to their communities. In the next few weeks, hundreds of trucks will be rolling out across Canada to support two important causes.

Three convoys for a cure in Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick will be getting “pinked out” to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. All pledges and donations go towards cancer awareness programs and fund research.

The others, along with 30-plus convoys in the U.S., are part of the World’s Largest Truck Convoy and will be driving to support the Special Olympics. Drivers team up with local law enforcement officers and each convoy is escorted by cruisers along their route. All funds raised are donated to programs supporting Special Olympics athletes in each city.

It’s not too late to get involved. For the convoy nearest you and registration information, keep reading:

September 14

World’s Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics (Manitoba)

Oak Bluff Recreation Centre, Oak Bluff, MB.

Contact: Terry Hopkinson at 204-925-5628 or e-mail hopper@mts.net

Website: http://www.specialolympics.mb.ca

September 14

World’s Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics (Ontario)

Starts and finishes at the Fairgrounds in Paris, ON., running west along Highway 403 and 401 to Putnam, ON.

Contact: Tammy Blackwell at 519-577-2556 or truckconvoy@specialolympicsontario.com.

Website: http://www.truckconvoy.ca

September 14

World’s Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics (Saskatchewan)

Runs from The Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon to The Turvey Centre in Regina.

Contact: Carissa Trenton at 306-780-9440 or ctrenton@specialolympics.sk.ca

Website: www.specialolympics.sk.ca

September 14

Convoy for Hope Atlantic

Runs from the Irving Big Stop in Salisbury, NB. to the Irving Big Stop in Aulac, NB.

Contact: 888-518-1110

Website: http://www.convoyforhope-atlantic.ca/index.html

Note: This convoy also supports Lung Cancer Canada, Prostate Cancer Canada, and Colon Cancer Canada

September 21

World’s Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics (Nova Scotia)

Starts and finishes at “F Hangar” 12 Wing Shearwater, proceeding through Dartmouth, Cole Harbour, and Eastern Passage

Contact: Anne Marie Shannon at 902-429-2266, Ext 2 or amshannon@sportnovascotia.ca

Website: http://truckconvoyns.ca/convoy-2013/

September 28

Alberta Convoy for the Cure

Runs from the Road King Travel Centre in Sherwood Park to Blackjacks Roadhouse in Nisku, AB.

Contact: Tara Sherman at 780-236-2899 or convoyforacure-ab@live.ca

Website: www.albertaconvoyforacure.ca

October 5

Trucking For A Cure

Starts and finishes at TA Travel Centre, Exit 230 Swenburg Rd, Woodstock, ON

Contact: Joanne Millen MacKenzie at 613-803-1711 or info@truckingforacure.com

Website: http://tfacconvoy.wordpress.com/