It's autumn 2003, and Opies and its employees once again are teaming up to support fund-raising events for worthy causes.
Labor Day saw Opies participating in the Jerry Lewis Telethon. The Eldon MO-based motor carrier has participated in this muscular dystrophy telethon for more than 16 years. Opies supported the tote board at Columbia MO's KOMU-TV with a $1,500 check on behalf of its employees.
At the MS 150 Bike Tour, held Sept 6-7, Opies transported drinking water to approximately 1,400 cyclists for the annual fund-raising tour. Opies has been a corporate sponsor of the MS 150 Bike Tour for the past 16 years. Three tractor-trailer units were fitted with fountains filled with drinking water to be delivered to stops on the tour in support of the cyclists.
Opies employees and their families who donated their time were: over-the-road drivers John Gladden and his wife Donna from Iberia MO; John Saffell and his wife, Gertrude, from Troy MO; Larry Gregory and his wife, Debbie, from Jefferson City MO; Danny Womack from Wyandotte OK; Ernie Whisler from Kansas City KS; Preston Walker from Harrison AR; and Hennan Foley from Eldon. Parts Manager Todd Wildhaber from Jefferson City, Safety Director Jim Henley from Eldon, and Danny Opie from Eldon also took part. Henley has donated his time to this cause for the past 16 years.