Perdue Farms, through a $5,000 grant funded by the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, has renewed its commitment for Special Olympics Delaware and the World’s Largest Truck Convoy scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington, Del.

“Perdue has long supported the efforts of Special Olympics Delaware through the World’s Largest Truck Convoy,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Foundation. “Our drivers really enjoy participating in this event. It is an honor to be a part of a day that brings joy to so many and that produces such benefit to such a wonderful organization.”

The Foundation has supported Special Olympics Delaware for the past four years, aligning itself as festival sponsor at the annual Special Olympics Truck Convoy. The funds provide lunch and entertainment for hundreds of truck drivers, supporters, and Special Olympics families following the 28-mile drive through scenic Sussex County in support of Special Olympics. Perdue drivers with their big rigs have participated in the Truck Convoy since the event’s inception in 2003.

“Our truckers comment year after year that while the drive is certainly a wonderful part of the convoy event, it’s the festival afterward when they get to socialize not only with each other but with the Special Olympics athletes and families they are supporting when they truly realize the impact their participation is making,” said Lisa Smith, Special Olympics Delaware director of development.

The company, also through the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, has awarded $70,000 in scholarships to 14 children of Perdue associates and independent contract farmers.

The Foundation awarded each student a $5,000 scholarship. The Foundation was established in 1957 by company founder Arthur W. Perdue and is funded through the estates of Arthur W. Perdue and Frank Perdue. The Foundation has awarded scholarships to children of its associates and independent farm family partners every year since 1983.

The following 10 scholarship recipients are children of Perdue associates:

• Maci Arms, daughter of Bryan and Mary Arms of Cookeville, Tenn., will pursue a degree in civil engineering. She wants to improve the world’s infrastructure, protecting lives and the environment through engineering.
• Hannah Baugher, daughter of Joel and Kristine Baugher of Bridgewater, Va., will attend Liberty University to pursue a degree in psychology. She is interested in art therapy, a field that she says is especially helpful to traumatized children who can’t express their feelings verbally.
• Robert Cochran, son of Jeff and Kellie Dobson, N.C., will attend the University of North Carolina to pursue a degree in biology. He plans to become a surgeon, an occupation he says he knew he wanted since he was a boy.
• Owen Dennis, son of Kent Dennis of Willards, Md. and Elizabeth Bell of Bishopville, Md., will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to pursue a degree in engineering. He enjoys the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and feels these disciplines make the world a better place.
• Mitchell Faulkner, son of Cameron Faulkner of Albemarle, N.C. and Renee Harkey of Norwood, N.C., will attend North Carolina State University to pursue a degree in agricultural and environmental technologies. He plans to apply his knowledge of better agricultural practices to modern farms, improving production while preserving the environment.
• Hannah Insley, daughter of Duane and Kimberly Insley of Hebron, Md., will attend Salisbury University to pursue a degree in nursing. As a registered nurse specializing in geriatrics, she wants to help elderly patients who are unable to help themselves.
• Makayla Musgrove, daughter of Kimberly Todd of Delmar, Del., will attend the University of Delaware to pursue a degree in animal sciences. She plans to become a veterinarian, serving in the care of animals.
• Tyler Smith, son of Victor and Deborah Smith of Westville, Fla., will attend Chipola College to pursue a degree in mathematics education. He wants to share his love of math with children as a math teacher.
• Phillip Walker, son of Phil Walker of Perry, Ga. and Dawn Norris of Juliette, Ga., will attend the University of Georgia to pursue a degree in mathematics. His ultimate goal is to work as a statistician or actuary.
• Allison Weiler, daughter of Karen Steimel of Bicknell, Ind., will attend Vincennes University to pursue a degree in elementary education. She looks forward to making a difference in children’s lives as a teacher.

The four children of Perdue farm partners who received scholarships are:

• Casey Medford, daughter of Mike and Angel Medford of Tarboro, N.C., will attend East Carolina University to pursue a degree in nursing. She plans to become a nurse practitioner so she can provide healthcare for the less fortunate.
• Alexander Nguyen, son of Vincent Nguyen and Vicky Tran of Houston, who will attend the University of Chicago to pursue a degree in biochemistry. He wants to become a pediatrician so he can help children grow to become healthy and independent adults.
• Erin Smith, daughter of Dean and Robin Smith of Bishopville, Md., will attend Christopher Newport University to pursue a degree in radiation. She plans to complete a medical degree in radiology and help in the accurate diagnosis of patient illnesses.
• Lindsey Tyson, daughter of Bradley and Lisa Tyson of Spring Hope, N.C., will attend North Carolina State University to pursue a degree in agronomy. She looks forward to working with farmers as a crop advisor and sharing farming methods with them.

Source: Perdue Farms