Pilot Flying J founder James Haslam II and several company executives held a press event at the company’s headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee, on November 1 to announce that the truck stop giant would be spending the month celebrating its 60th anniversary.
No, no, they weren’t angling for anyone to go out buy them gifts. Even a card isn’t necessary. Quite the opposite, in fact.
“We are grateful to the millions of guests and thousands of team members who have fueled our business for 60 years,” Haslam said. “To celebrate this great achievement, we wanted to say thank you in a meaningful way that honors our history and will make a positive difference in the communities we serve.”
For starters, the company wants to treat all those who serve or have served in the military to a Veterans Day breakfast. From November 10–12, active-duty and retired military veterans can redeem an offer on the Pilot Flying J app a free Pilot coffee of any size with their choice of a PJ Fresh breakfast sandwich, packaged pastry item or a Cinnabon Center of the Roll.
The app is available through Google Play, Apple’s App Store and under the “Rewards Programs” heading on the the Pilot Flying J website, pilotflyingj.com.
The big announcement was that Pilot Flying J would mark its 60th anniversary with donations totaling $2 million “in honor of its history of giving back and commitment to fueling life’s journeys into the future.”
More than 20 nonprofit organizations will receive contributions, each reflective of causes that are important to Pilot Flying J’s guests and team members and the values upon which the company was built.
In keeping with Pilot Flying J’s support of veterans, organizations such as Hire Heroes USA, Bunker Labs, Fisher House and Folds of Honor are among the organizations that will receive donations. Organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Feeding America, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Trucker Buddy International will also receive donations to fund programs that focus on health and wellness, access to food and academic success in communities across the country.
Other organizations that will receive donations include: A21; Convoy of Hope; First Baptist Church of Corbin, Kentucky; Interfaith Health Clinic; Knoxville (Tennessee) Habitat for Humanity; National Safe Place Network; No Kid Hungry; Restoration House of East Tennessee; Safe Families for Children; St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund; Teach for America; Thrive Lonsdale; Trucker Buddy International; Truckers Against Trafficking; Truckers Final Mile; Trucking Cares Foundation
“A spirit of community and philanthropy was instilled in our company’s culture from the beginning,” said Meg Counts, community relations and events manager of Pilot Flying J. “We are proud to partner with these important organization, supporting their missions and programs to help our communities and veterans thrive. Together, we are truly able to fuel life’s journeys.”
To learn more about Pilot Flying J’s 60th anniversary celebration, visit pilotflyingj.com.
Klint Lowry has been a journalist for over 20 years. Prior to that, he did all kinds work, including several that involved driving, though he never graduated to big rigs. He worked at newspapers in the Detroit, Tampa and Little Rock, Ark., areas before coming to The Trucker in 2017. Having experienced such constant change at home and at work, he felt a certain kinship to professional truck drivers. Because trucking is more than a career, it’s a way of life, Klint has always liked to focus on every aspect of the quality of truckers’ lives.
