Jerr-Dan Corp. Donates Carrier for Auction Benefitting Survivor Fund

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., July 2, 2018 (Newswire.com) - Jerr-Dan Corp. donated a tow truck carrier to the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum for its annual museum auction.

The 2019 Freightliner M2 with a Jerr-Dan 22-foot XLP flatbed has a retail value of upwards of $95,000. The tow truck is expected to be white with a blue body and boast a vinyl Survivor Fund logo. Additional truck details include:

Jerr-Dan believes there are few professions that can match the heart and soul of a tow owner/operator.

Jerr-Dan Corp.

• Rail lights
• Approach tip rollers
• Greased fittings
• Camlock
• 48-inch toolboxes with storage trays and marker lights

The Jerr-Dan truck is scheduled to be auctioned Friday, September 14, during the annual Museum Weekend fundraising event with proceeds benefiting the museum's Survivor Fund, which helps provide financial support to families of loved ones who have died in towing accidents, particularly roadside service to the public.

"Jerr-Dan believes there are few professions that can match the heart and soul of a tow owner/operator. Day after day, night after night, these real-life road warriors rise to meet a world of challenges – the elements, passionate 'customers,' aggressive competitors and the many documented dangers of driving – without hesitation or complaint, and without fail," said the company, one of the nation's leading manufacturers of tow trucks and equipment. 

Last year, Jerr-Dan donated an MPL standard-duty wrecker mounted on a 2017 Ford F450 truck whose winning bidder was Joe Gagne of Abrams Towing, Ontario, Canada.

Museum Weekend is an annual event that takes place during the Tennessee Tow Show, hosted by Tow Times magazine and the Tennessee Tow Truck Association and scheduled this year for September 13 – 15 at the Chattanooga Convention Center. 

The auction is one of several activities designed to recognize towing industry professionals as well as raise funds for the towing museum and its affiliates such as the Survivor Fund. 

About 60 towing-related deaths occur each year in the United States, a high number compared with workplace fatalities among other first responders as well as other industries.

"We are extremely appreciative of the generous donation from Jerr-Dan in providing this truck for our auction," says Jeffrey Godwin, co-chair of the museum's Survivor Fund / Wall of the Fallen Committee. "The proceeds will be used to support the families of those killed in the line of service to the motoring public. Most recently, we have had a spike in the number of tragedies. I've had to mail two checks to two families for deaths that occurred in the last week. Donations such as this allow us to continue this important work for the industry."

The towing museum is accepting donations for the auction until August 19, 2018, the deadline for those that wish to be included in printed donor recognition. All donors, as well as the auction sponsor, will be recognized by the emcee prior to the start of the auction.

Other Museum Weekend events include a Meet-and-Greet, a Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a name unveiling ceremony at the Wall of the Fallen memorial sculpture on the museum grounds and a 5K Run for the Fund.

For more information on the museum auction or to make an auction donation, contact Jeffrey Godwin, co-chair of the Survivor Fund / Wall of the Fallen Committee, at JeffreyG@fleetnetamerica.com.

To register for Museum Weekend, visit http://internationaltowingmuseum.org/museum-weekend.

The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum in Chattanooga, Tenn., showcases the history of towing and recovery. The rotating collection includes early equipment by Manley, Holmes, Vulcan, and Weaver. The Hall of Fame honors individuals who have significantly advanced the industry. The museum includes a theater, a library and a gift shop with towing-related souvenirs. The Wall of the Fallen memorial, on the museum grounds, is dedicated to towers who died in the line of service. ITRHFM is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and accepts donations for its programs and operations from individuals, corporations, and groups.

Source: International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum

Related Media