Cargo Transporters, Inc., of Claremont, North Carolina, and Asheville Outlets of Asheville, North Carolina, were recognized for their contributions to the 2020 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative during TCA’s annual convention — Truckload 2021: Las Vegas.
A “2020 Whistle Stop Award” was presented to Cargo Transporter, Inc.’s President and CEO and TCA’s Immediate Past Chairman Dennis Dellinger, as well as Asheville Outlets’ General Manager Miranda Bowman and Specialty Leasing Manager/Marketing Assistant Megan Thorp, for planning and co-hosting TCA’s whistle stop.
More than 500 people attended the free public event on November 17, 2020, at the Asheville Outlets, located off Interstate 26.
“It was our honor to host a piece of history right here in our backyard,” shared Dellinger. “This program shines a bright spotlight on the truckload industry and how essential we are, from the professional truck drivers behind the wheel to the gift that was delivered to the nation’s capital. The memories will last a lifetime.”
“While gearing up for the busiest time of the year, hosting the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree was an amazing experience,” shared Bowman. “Despite COVID-19, we had a great turnout of community members, and by offering a drive-thru experience, we were able to ensure the comfort of everyone involved.”
“The People’s Tree,” a 55-foot-tall Engelmann Spruce, was harvested from the Uncompahgre National Forest in Colorado and traveled nearly 2,000 miles to its destination on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. The 2020 journey included nearly a dozen outdoor community celebrations, including the Asheville whistle stop.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative is a 50-year tradition in which one of the country’s 155 national forests provides a tree for holiday season. The project is made possible with support from partners including nonprofit Choose Outdoors, along with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small, and volunteers locally and across America.
“The annual journey is only possible with the help of strong community partnerships throughout Colorado and beyond state lines,” said Choose Outdoors President Bruce Ward. “We’re grateful for the time and resources TCA provided to help make this the best year yet.”
At the Asheville whistle stop, complimentary bags containing hand sanitizer and a personal marker to sign the tree’s banner were distributed to attendees. Other features included live remote broadcasts with iHeart Media’s 99.9 KISS Country, 104.3 STAR, and 570 WWNC; a cocoa station; yard games by ITeam Games; a TapSnap photobooth sponsored by Ingles Markets; a toy drive benefiting Eblen Charities; food and beverages by Chick-fil-A and Sierra Nevada; and a special appearance by Santa Claus.
The Six Rivers National Forest in California will provide the 2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, which will be transported by truckload carrier System Transport, based in Bloomington, California.
For more information about the initiative, visit capitolchristmastree.com. View photos and updates from Truckload 2021: Las Vegas by following the hashtag #2021TCA on social media networks, or access TCA’s event album at truckload.org/Flickr.
The Truckload Authority News Staff, comprised of award winning journalists and graphic artists, produces content for Truckload Authority, working in cooperation with the Truckload Carriers Association staff. Truckload Authority aims to keep TCA members abreast on the latest trends in the trucking industry as well as articles that feature TCA member executives and drivers. The Truckload Authority staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
