LEXINGTON, S.C. (Feb. 3, 2020) - Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, today announced its participation in more than 6,200 total hours of community service across 94 projects in 2019 as part of the "Southeastern Serves" program.
Southeastern Serves is a program dedicated to giving back to communities across Southeastern's footprint by having associates of all levels get involved with providing for the less fortunate.
"Since the first truck pulled away from a loading dock in 1950, Southeastern has been engrained in the communities it serves. The Southeastern Serves program allows us to pay-it-forward and give back to the communities who support us year after year," said Mike Heaton, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Southeastern Freight Lines. "We are proud of our ongoing commitment to provide quality service not only to our customers but to less fortunate individuals throughout the footprint we serve."
This year, more than 1,400 participants, including Southeastern associates, friends and family members, volunteered for projects ranging from serving meals to families in need, to volunteering at veteran organizations, homeless shelters and domestic abuse shelters. A few examples across the Southeastern footprint include:
In September 2019, Southeastern team members across the Carolinas and Virginia, worked with Samaritan's Feet to attend title one schools where 42 salary employees spent 127 hours serving over 400 children, washing their feet, getting to know the children and donating shoes and socks to each child. Samaritan's Feet believes a new pair of shoes and the act of foot-washing can give children hope and the opportunity for a better life.
In Texas, 19 Southeastern associates and family members from Tyler and Waco, volunteered 92 hours at Hunger for Love's Christmas Under the Bridge event, helping decorate and serve food and beverages. Tyler associate Robin Kennedy oversaw Santa's Tent at the event and was able to collect more than 600 donated toys from local businesses and associates, gifted to more than 200 boys and girls. Hunger for Love fosters relationships with the homeless community and under-resourced families in Tyler, where they meet on Saturday mornings for a hot, fresh breakfast, clothing and hygiene distribution, worship and a bagged lunch to take home.
A few months later, the Southeastern sales and marketing associates from Lexington, South Carolina partnered with Providence Home to help give a Christmas devotion, serve desserts and fellowship with residents. They also left gifts for the residents to enjoy on Christmas morning. Providence Home helps stabilize living conditions for dislocated men and encourages self-sufficient living through progressive, spiritually dynamic ministry.
Additionally, Southeastern sent 19 volunteers in Greenville, South Carolina to serve 95 hours at The SonShine Club, preparing and serving food, while also cleaning and providing gift bags for members. The SonShine Club provides special needs adults a safe space to meet with their peers to enjoy music, fitness, games, arts and crafts, bible study and lunch at no charge.
"As we enter our 70th year in business, it is humbling to see the ongoing commitment of Southeastern to support so many deserving organizations and individuals through the Southeastern Serves program. We look forward to honoring that commitment with community service projects throughout 2020 and beyond," said Heaton.
This is the eighth year for the Southeastern Serves program.
About Southeastern Freight Lines
Southeastern Freight Lines, a privately-owned regional less-than-truckload transportation services provider founded in 1950, specializes in next-day service in the Southeast and Southwest and operates 89 service centers in 13 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Southeastern has a network of service partners to ensure transportation services in the remaining 36 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Mexico. Southeastern Freight Lines provides more than 99.35% on-time service in next day lanes. A dedication to service quality and a continuous quality improvement process that began in 1985 has been recognized by more than 450 quality awards received from customers and associations. For more information, please visit www.sefl.com and www.facebook.com/SoutheasternFreight.
