Think of the Make-A-Wish Mother's Day Truck Convoy, and you might think of a long line of trucks traveling down the roads of Lancaster County. That is certainly central to the event, said Terry Finch, event chairperson, but that is just part of a special day.

"Our event is anchored by the Convoy trucks and our extremely generous truck drivers, but it is so much more," Finch shared about the event that kicks off at the Manheim Pennsylvania Auto Auction. "It's a community celebration of our Wish Children, and we hope everyone who joins us can take part in the games and fun that happens inside the Auto Auction lanes."

This year's Make-A-Wish Mother's Day Truck Convoy will take place on Sunday, May 14, at the Auto Auction, 1190 Lancaster Road, Manheim. Beginning at 9 a.m., a Family Carnival will feature food trucks, carnival games, music, mascots and Make-A-Wish merchandise sales. Across Auction Road from the main building and truck lot, there will be a chicken dinner available for drive-through pickup, Finch noted. "There is also an online auction running the entire week before the Convoy and ending at midnight the next day, featuring Wish Kid art, jewelry, golf foursomes, gift cards and much more," she shared.

The Make-A-Wish event brings independent drivers and trucking companies from all over the Susquehanna Valley as well as from across the country to participate in the festivities that raise funds needed to grant 75% of the annual wishes in the Susquehanna Valley. Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley grants wishes for children with critical illnesses. Over the years, the Convoy has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. "In recent years, our record fundraising was just over $600,000," Finch noted. "Our goal for this year is $700,000." She said organizers are hoping for 400 trucks to participate in the Convoy this year.

"Our drivers fundraise all year long," she explained, "and the top fundraisers in dollars earned make up the top 30 drivers in the Convoy. They are the front row of trucks and will lead out the event as they travel along the Convoy route." The top driver will pull the Wish Angel trailer, which is a tribute to Wish Children in the chapter area who have passed away in the 34 years since the Convoy began. "Each year, we add names to stars on the trailer before it goes on the route," Finch remarked. "During our 12 p.m. announcements at the stage, we also ask the top 30 drivers to put their hands on the trailer and have a moment of silence for our Wish Angels."

When the Convoy heads out, Wish Children are invited to ride along with the drivers, said Finch, noting that up to 100 of them have joined drivers in the past.

The route will run from Manheim to Elizabethtown and Mount Joy, and Finch encourages people to watch the Convoy along the route and cheer on the Wish Children. She recommends viewing the Convoy at LCBC on Route 772 in Manheim, where there will be food trucks and special visitors, and anywhere along Main Street in Mount Joy.

For more information, check out our Make-A-Wish Convoy supplement at https://issuu.com/engleprintingandpublishing/docs/maw_2023 or visit http://www.wishconvoy.org.