AVERITT CARES FOR KIDS

HOW DID AVERITT CARES FOR KIDS GET STARTED?

The program roots date back to 1986 when Averitt’s associates decided they wanted to give something back to the company in a tangible way. They decided to purchase a new trailer and presented it to Averitt Chairman and CEO Gary Sasser as their gift of thanks. The project generated so much pride and enthusiasm that associates decided to embark on a similar project the following year. This time, Gary recommended instead that associates use their contributions to give to the less fortunate. The result was the formation of Averitt Express Associate Charities, now known as Averitt Cares for Kids.

At the time the program was formed, it was one of the first associate-funded, charitable-giving organizations of its kind. Upon its introduction, it was profiled on the front page of The Wall Street Journal.

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AVERITT CARES FOR KIDS AND ST. JUDE?

Since 1990, "Averitt Cares for Kids'" contributions have been designated by Averitt associates to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. St. Jude is the leader in research, treatment and cure for catastrophic childhood disease, helping children and their families throughout the world.

In 1997, "Averitt Cares for Kids" announced a $1.5 million endowment to fund a leukemia and lymphoma clinic at the hospital, That clinic is now known as the "Averitt Express Leukemia and Lymphoma Clinic." Eighty percent of all St. Jude patients visit the clinic at some point during their treatment. Hundreds of patients visit the clinic every day.

We’re proud to say St. Jude's has named Averitt Cares for Kids "Employee-Giving Organization of the Year" on several occasions, including 1999 and 2010 and 2020.

Averitt Cares for Kids' contribution of $1,750,001 to St. Jude in 2024 was our largest contribution in the program's history, and was also the largest employee-generated contribution ever for the hospital.