New 5K in Chattanooga to Support Fallen Tow Operators
The first annual Run for the Fund will be held Sunday, September 16, 2018.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., May 9, 2018 (Newswire.com) - Motorists rely on towing and road service operators to be rescued when stranded. These men and women work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to keep our roadways clear and traffic moving.
The job of the towing operator is one of the most dangerous professions in the world. The men and women work perilously close to high-speed traffic and routinely face the dangers of impaired, inattentive and distracted drivers. The towing industry loses approximately 60 operators annually — a number that is staggering to comprehend.
The board meets annually to evaluate the status of the fund using a fiscal responsibility formula and to set the benefit level for the coming year.
Jeffrey Godwin, Co-Chairman, Survivor Fund / Wall of the Fallen
Through fund-raising efforts and the generosity of corporations, individuals and industry associations, the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum's Survivor Fund was launched in 2007 to provide limited financial support to families who lost a loved one in the line of service (father, mother, son, etc.). The museum is located on Broad Street in Chattanooga, considered the birthplace of the towing industry.
The Survivor Fund has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to families since 2007. The initial benefit payout was $500 and recently the board raised it to $7,500 for members of the museum and $5,000 for non-members. The fund's board evaluates the benefit each year.
"The board meets annually to evaluate the status of the fund using a fiscal responsibility formula and to set the benefit level for the coming year," says Jeffrey Godwin, co-chair of the towing museum's Survivor Fund / Wall of the Fallen Committee.
The first annual Run for the Fund 5K will bring athletes of all abilities together to support the Survivor Fund. Participants are encouraged to register early to receive reduced rates – $25 pre-registration (good through May 31), $30 registration (June 1 through September 15) and $35 on-site registration.
Running or walking enthusiasts are invited to participate or attend the event to raise funds and awareness of the dangers facing the towing industry. The 3.1-mile course starts and ends at the towing museum following the nearby Tennessee Riverwalk – perfect for first-time 5K runners or walkers.
Winners in each age group will be recognized as part of an awards ceremony at the end of the race, along with top fundraising teams.
To sign up to run or walk in the 5K Run for the Fund, visit http://runforthefund.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=10730. For more information on the event, to volunteer or become a sponsor, visit http://towingmuseum.com/survivor-fund. For questions, contact Jeffrey Godwin, co-chair of the Survivor Fund / Wall of the Fallen Committee, at jgodwin@fileetnetamerica.com.
About the Museum
The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum in Chattanooga showcases, displays, and exhibits on 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 selling souvenirs related to the towing industry. 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
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