Mack Auction Raises $150,000 For USO
On June 20 six heavy duty Mack dump trucks, five Granite series and one CL713, stood at attention on the lot of Gabrielli Mack Sales and Service in Jamaica, N.Y.
Mack Trucks had loaned the dumps free of charge to New York City to help clean up the World Trade Center site, and now their job was done.
Deep scars and gouges, crushed lights and twisted bumpers marked the rugged demolition bodies (five Ox, one Warren), visible wounds of round-the-clock hauling that started last Fall at Ground Zero and ended 25,000 loads of debris later. On some you could still read the painted legends, "For the NY disaster relief effort."
The trucks' grilles displayed specially commissioned medallions, a commemorative salute to their eight months of service at Ground Zero and a tribute to NYC fire fighters for their heroism, bravery and sacrifice. A few still wore flag decals put on by the drivers.
Now the trucks awaited their next step into history: they would be sold at auction to an invited group of Mack dealers from around the U.S. to raise money for the United Service Organizations (USO), a group that supports American military service personnel and their families.
Proceeds in excess of the fair market value of the trucks, along with revenue raised in an auction of Mack collectibles and artwork, came to $150,000.
Edward Powell, president and CEO of USO Worldwide Operations accepted the generous donation on behalf "...of the men and women who serve in the armed forces. This will go long way to enriching their lives."
Mack president and CEO Paul Vikner described the strong ties between Mack trucks and New York City, recalling the company's roots in Brooklyn. Mack vehicles helped build and protect the city, he said. Although the company moved to Allentown, Pa. in 1906, "New York is still home to Mack," Vikner declared.
He recounted how Mack employees and retirees raised money through United Way to help 9/11 victims' families, and how the company replaced crushed fire and police emergency vehicles with the help of the United Auto Workers and its suppliers.
"When these trucks finished their service and were returned to us, we saw an opportunity to help the USO in serving those who are protecting and defending our freedoms," Vikner said. "It also allowed us to include our dealers in our relief efforts and they have responded with enormous generosity."
Jon Pritchett, Nextran Truck Center president, Jacksonville, Fla., concurred, "Being part of this makes me very proud."
Mack dealers from 13 states took part in the spirited bidding led by Kevin Flaherty, Mack senior vice-president-sales, who cajoled prices as high as $85,000 for the used vehicles.
Host dealer principals Armando and Amedeo Gabrielli provided winning bids on two trucks. The other winning bidders were Todd Brown, Browns Hunterdon Mack Sales & Service, Inc., in Lebanon, N.J., Pat McMahon, Mack Truck Sales of Charlotte, Inc., Charlotte, N.C., Bob Nuss, Mack Trucks of Rochester, Inc., Rochester, Minn., and Jon Pritchett of Nextran Truck Center, Jacksonville, Fla.
Transportation for the auctioned trucks was donated by Hook Up, Inc., a Joplin, Missouri-based company that transports new Mack trucks to dealers and customers.
"When we heard about [the auction], I got goose bumps and wanted to be a part of it," said Jim Johnston, Hook Up's CEO. "We decided to contribute by giving free delivery to every dealer. This is truly a great bunch of people."
The auction audience also heard first-hand accounts of the aftermath of the horrifying event from New York City Deputy Fire Commissioner Tom Fitzpatrick and NYC Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Leon Heyward.
Earlier that day auction participants were transported to Ground Zero for a tour of the site. They also witnessed the "miracle" church that survived without one window breaking, and the many mementos and messages left by visitors.
The auction was the brainchild of Thomas Kelly, Mack Marketing vice-president, who explained, "After all the attention paid to the victims and their families, we wanted to focus on another group making sacrifices, the service people, those killed in Afghanistan, and their families. The USO is the best source to do that." He noted that his own 20-year-old son recently enlisted in the United States Air Force. "He had never traveled before and the USO Clubs are there for him."
