PetSmart dedicated associates donate pet supplies to the Ennis Police Department PETSMART SITE TEAMS UP IN TEXAS Each year, the PetSmart Distribution Center in Ennis allows its employees to purchase overstock items from its warehouse at a discounted rate. This year, our associates were given the chance to participate in the annual event. DEBBIE KNIGHT of our PetSmart team coordinated the efforts to buy miscellaneous pet items to donate to the Ennis Police Department as part of a Team Up Community Challenge. “Our associates used their overstock discount to purchase everything from leashes and collars for cats and dogs to stuffed animals,” says MICHELE GARNER of our PetSmart leadership team. “We donated several boxes of items to the police department’s crime prevention team.” It took nearly four hours to collect, sort, pack and deliver the items to the Ennis Police Department. Members of our PetSmart dedicated team in Ennis, TX took advantage of their pet supply resources last month to Team Up and donate to the Ennis Police Department
Coordinated by DEBBIE KNIGHT (left), our PetSmart Dedicated team in Ennis, Texas, recently donated supplies to the Ennis Police Department as part of their Team Up Community Challenge service.
Garner says the leashes and collars will be used when the police respond to calls of stray animals, and the stuffed animals will be given away to children when officers visit schools. We’re proud of our PetSmart associates and other teams that have been giving back through the Team Up Community Challenge. Learn more about this program at InsideAveritt.com/TeamUp . T m
Veteran Driver Danny Trousdale Joins Ambassador Team ‘I FEEL LIKE I HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH TO AVERITT, AND AVERITT HAS GIVEN SO MUCH TO ME IN RETURN’ Former Truckload driver Danny Trousdale retired late last year after nearly 14 years with our team, but the 74-year-old Illinois native says he wasn’t ready to hang up his hat just yet.
When he learned of the Ambassador Team, Danny held out on retiring until the program was formed. After it was established, Danny says he jumped on board as soon as he could.
After all those years of having a bed behind you, it’s nice to be able to see out the back window!” Danny joined Averitt in 2008 after moving from Illinois to Alabama. He had planned to transfer to the South with another company, but when that didn’t work out, he chose to come to Averitt. He says it is one of the smartest decisions he’s ever made, and he is thankful he chose Averitt. “Averitt has always been so good to me and my family,” Danny says. “About 10 years ago, my wife became sick. That same year, I was diagnosed with cancer. I had to take off work during both events, but my job was still there waiting for me when I was able to return to work. I am so glad I was on board with Averitt. “I feel like I have given a lot to Averitt, and Averitt has given so much for me in return. What more can you ask for in an employer?” After spending 10 years with the Decatur service
center, Danny accepted a position with the Mercedes dedicated team in 2019. He soon wanted to move back home to Illinois, so Danny transferred to Chicago, where he retired from in December. Danny says he would encourage anyone who has recently retired or is interested in retiring to look into joining the Ambassador Team. “I am fortunate to still be able to work, and I think the Ambassador Team is such a great program,” Danny says. “Like I said before, I work when I want and as much as I want, and it gives me the chance to make a little extra money. “Averitt already does so much for its associates, and this program allows you to stay active and involved.” For more information about the Ambassador Team program, talk to your leader or visit InsideAveritt.com/ambassador . T m
“I still wanted to work, and being an Ambassador Team mentor allows me to work when I want as much as I
DANNY TROUSDALE want,” Danny says. “There’s a lot to do at home and around the house, but going out and working keeps me active and in touch with people.” These days, Danny drives a shuttle run and just has to give the Chicago service center a couple weeks’ notice when he wants to work. “I am now making runs from Chicago to Milwaukee,” Danny says. “Going from a sleeper to a day cab has been a bit of an adjustment, but I like it.
COMMUNITY CHALLENGE matters
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