Truckers 4 Hope Gears Up for 7th Year of Fundraising for Cystic Fibrosis; Founders Invite Community to Attend Festivities

By Emily Wright
MILL HALL, PA – On the weekend of Friday, September 22 through the 24th, the Clinton County Fairgrounds will host the seventh annual Truckers 4 Hope fundraiser. The event begins at 3 p.m. on Friday and continues throughout the entire weekend. The cost of admission to the event is $15 per day or $40 for the weekend. Children under the age of 10 are admitted free of charge.

Truckers 4 Hope is a three-day, non-judged, semi-truck show that raises funds to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Research and Hope 4 Hayze, a nonprofit organization founded by two local parents who had first-hand experience with the disease when their oldest son, Haze, was diagnosed as an infant.

The aim of the event is to raise funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system. With its growing success, Truckers 4 Hope has now outgrown its parent organization, Hope 4 Haze.

The fundraising event features a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy throughout the entire weekend. The event will feature everything from craft and food vendors to monster truck rides, and of course, semi-truck pulls. This year, Truckers 4 Hope will feature over 300 show trucks, making it the largest truck show the fundraiser has hosted since its inception.

The event offers live bands, animal displays, and a light show that will be followed by fireworks on the evening of Saturday the 22nd. In addition, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, the Smiths host “kid’s day”, with numerous activities geared toward youngsters.

“It’s kind of like a fair, just with semi trucks,” Smith said. “There is something for everybody at the Truckers 4 Hope event. It’s definitely more than just a truck show,” Smith said.

Truckers4Hope, formerly known as “Hope4Haze”, was founded by locals Jason and Prella Smith. It all started with their oldest son, Haze, who was born with cystic fibrosis. The Smiths were informed about their new baby boy’s health condition when they received results from routine testing that was performed when he was born.

Although initially fearful like any new parents would be, the couple managed to turn their fears into something positive; a unique fundraising initiative that has taken the community by storm. The evergrowing fundraiser led by Jason and Prella helps to raise funds for cystic fibrosis research, and since its inception, Truckers 4 Hope events have raised an impressive $110,000 for the cause.

When asked about the inspiration behind hosting a truck show specifically, Smith shared that he wears many hats in the workforce, one of which is driving semi-trucks. Smith is a third-generation truck driver, so his experience along with his family’s background in driving semi-trucks played a vital role when brainstorming ways to raise funds with his wife. “I was talking to my wife Prella one night, and I said, I don’t know how, but I think we should somehow tie in what I do for a living with a way to raise money,” he said.

Since its inception, the Truckers4Hope fundraiser has grown year after year. “The first year we started Truckers4Hope, we only had about 42 trucks. By the third year, it jumped up to 100, and then after that, it blew up to over 300 trucks a year ever since,” Smith shared. “This will be our 7th truck show, and the planning and organizing process takes a whole year, so right after the show ends, my mind is already spinning for next year’s show.”

Smith and his wife have made it their mission to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis because they want people to fully understand the impact of the disease on individuals and families. Smith emphasized the purpose of his fundraiser: “We’re trying to make the community aware of what cystic fibrosis is and why we do what we do,” he said. “The money we raise goes directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and they use it to support research and help patients.”

The “Truckers 4 Hope” fundraiser serves as a beacon of hope for individuals with cystic fibrosis, as truckers from near and far unite to support them. Their efforts not only raise funds but also create awareness about the disease that affects thousands of people.

Now, the annual Truckers 4 Hope event brings together truck enthusiasts, community members, and supporters from all walks of life to raise funds for cystic fibrosis.

As Truckers 4 Hope continues to grow, Jason and Prella’s dedication to the cause is unwavering. Their personal connection to cystic fibrosis, along with the overwhelming support of the community, has made this fundraising initiative a success. With each passing year, the event sees more trucks, more attendees, and ultimately, more funds raised for cystic fibrosis research and treatment.

Community members who wish to support the cause but are unable to attend the Truckers 4 Hope fundraiser can make donations by contacting Smith directly or visiting the Truckers 4 Hope website. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s official website also accepts contributions.

For those interested in getting involved beyond making donations, Jason Smith extended an invitation to volunteer at this year’s “Truckers 4 Hope” event. He emphasized that the support of volunteers is vital and he encourages anyone who might be interested in lending a hand to reach out to his team to offer their assistance.
To learn more about the Truckers 4 Hope event and see this year’s lineup of truck shows and other activities, visit https://www.truckers4hope.com/

To make a donation or volunteer at the 2023 Truckers 4 Hope fundraiser, contact Jason Smith by phone at 570-660-7281, or through the fundraisers’ Facebook page.