Averitt Shows How Much It Cares

Employees of Averitt Express give only a little from their weekly paychecks to an in-house charitable program, but it really adds up to the benefit of recipients.

The Averitt Cares program made a commitment to donate $1.5 million to the leukemia clinic at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. So far, more than $370,000 has gone to the clinic for cancer research, and the company plans to donate the rest over the next three years.

Joe Mirro, the hospital’s chief medical officer, said the contributions would play a significant role in efforts to develop new leukemia and lymphoma treatments.

St. Jude renamed the facility the Leukemia-Lymphoma Clinic Endowed by the Associates of Averitt Express.

Averitt, a full-service transportation company based in Cookeville, Tenn., collects its donation money like raindrops in a can: one dollar at a time. It asks employees to give a little — usually a buck, sometimes two or three — from their weekly paychecks. With 5,500 workers, it adds up fast.

The charitable program began in 1984, when employees pooled money to buy a gift for the company’s president. But Gary Sasser had a better idea.

“Mr. Sasser said, ‘Why don’t we select a charity to help those who are less fortunate?’ “ said Gina Billings, the company’s director of marketing and communications.

Charities ranging from the Special Olympics to health programs have been the beneficiaries since then.

As the company grew, so did its charity efforts. The cash pool increased as new employees — called associates — were encouraged to contribute.

St. Jude’s made the final cut when the company decided to focus on two charities. The American Heart Association was also selected, receiving funds for its Heart Power program that teaches students about heart-healthy lifestyles. Each received $260,000 in 1997 and $110,000 last year.

“It’s a great program,” Ms. Billings said. “Our associates are very excited about making these contributions.”

The company keeps its employees involved in the program as more than just financial partners. Workers visit schools to distribute Heart Power kits and meet patients at St. Jude.

Averitt hopes such interactions will encourage more employees to join the program.

“We give them updates so they know what these two programs are doing and where their contributions are going,” Ms. Billings said. “Our goal is to get 100% participation.”