Lend a Hand Makes Final Stop in Charleston, W.V.
June 17, 2011
The “Today” show’s Lend a Hand series wrapped up June 17 in Charleston, W.V., culminating a weeklong $9 million charity road trip to benefit U.S. charities.
<p>Penske <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">rental trucks</a> and “Today” co-host <a href="http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/4515729/ns/today/t/al-roker/">Al Roker</a> delivered <a href="http://allday.today.com/_news/2011/06/17/6879946-lend-a-hand-wraps-up-10th-anniversary-tour-in-west-virginia">$1.5 million in donations</a> to the Covenant House of West Virginia, a charity that offers services and educational programs to help individuals with the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter.</p><p>Dustin Smith, Penske’s management trainee in Huntington, W.V., and Travis Founds, Penske’s district rental manager in Columbus, Ohio, delivered the donation-filled <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">trucks</a> to Covenant House. A long-time “Today” fan, Smith jumped at the chance to help with Lend a Hand and possibly meet Al Roker.</p><p>“First of all, the opportunity to be a part of the ‘Today’ show is really exciting,” Smith said. “Secondly, we’re happy to reach out and help the Charleston community.”</p><p>For the seventh consecutive year, Penske donated the use of 26-foot <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">consumer trucks</a> for the five-day trip.</p><p>“On behalf of Penske, we thank all of our associates and suppliers for their support and hard work over the last week,” said Randy Ryerson, communications director for Penske. “We especially thank Al Roker, NBC, the ‘Today’ show, and the Lend a Hand team for their close cooperation and for allowing Penske Truck Rental to be a part of this charity outreach effort. We congratulate Al Roker on 10 years of giving back to the community through Lend a Hand.”</p><p>Read about previous Lend a Hand stops:</p><p>Day 1: <a href="http://blog.gopenske.com/news/penske-truck-rental-helps-today-show-in-alaska/" title="Penske Truck Rental Helps Today Show in Alaska">Penske Truck Rental Helps Today Show in Alaska</a></p><p>Day 2: <a href="http://blog.gopenske.com/news/penske-and-%e2%80%9ctoday%e2%80%9d-lend-a-hand-in-las-vegas/" title="Penske and “Today” Lend a Hand in Las Vegas">Penske and “Today” Lend a Hand in Las Vegas</a></p><p>Day 3: <a href="http://blog.gopenske.com/news/penske-and-%e2%80%9ctoday%e2%80%9d-surprise-houston-charity/" title="Penske and “Today” Surprise Houston Charity">Penske and “Today” Surprise Houston Charity</a></p><p>Day 4: <a href="http://blog.gopenske.com/news/penske-and-%e2%80%9ctoday%e2%80%9d-continue-tour-in-birmingham-ala/" title="Penske and “Today” Continue Tour in Birmingham, Ala.">Penske and “Today” Continue Tour in Birmingham, Ala.</a><strong></strong></p><p><strong> </strong>By Kandace Wertz</p></div>
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Penske and “Today” Continue Tour in Birmingham, Ala.
June 16, 2011
Penske and “Today” continued the show’s Lend a Hand goodwill tour with a stop June 16 inBirmingham, Ala.
<p>Accompanied by four <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">Penske trucks</a>, “Today” co-host <a href="http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/4515729/ns/today/t/al-roker/">Al Roker</a> delivered $1.7 million in donations to The Community Kitchens of Birmingham. This non-profit organization has served the hungry and homeless 365 days a year since 1980. Community Kitchens serves more than 95,000 hot meals annually at its two locations.</p><p>“We are proud to be a part of a company that’s willing to help others in need,” said Jonathan Love, Penske’s district rental manager in Birmingham. “Helping NBC with this huge charitable undertaking has been rewarding.”</p><p>Finding four available Penske <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">rental trucks</a> proved to be a difficult, yet worthwhile, task for the Birmingham team. With locals still recovering from April’s devastating tornadoes, Penske has experienced a truck shortage in the area, as those displaced are still relocating and moving their belongings.</p><p>“Our trucks have been in great demand following the tornadoes in the area,” Love said. “But we did everything we could to make sure this event was a success for Birmingham residents.”</p><p>Love drove one of the trucks to the live broadcast, along with fellow Penske employees</p><p>Johnathan King, branch service manager; and contracted truck drivers Vernie Rhodes and Larry Allred.</p><p>For the sixth consecutive year, Penske has donated the use of 26-foot <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">consumer trucks</a> for the weeklong Lend a Hand series.</p><p>Al Roker will conclude his road trip tomorrow in Charleston, W.V.</p><p>For updates of Al Roker’s weeklong trip, be sure to visit the “Move Ahead” blog daily, as well as the “Today” show’s “<a href="http://allday.today.com/">allDAY</a>” blog and the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pensketruckrental">Penske Truck Rental Facebook</a> page.</p><p>Read about previous Lend a Hand stops:</p><p>Day 1: <a href="http://blog.gopenske.com/news/penske-truck-rental-helps-today-show-in-alaska/" title="Penske Truck Rental Helps Today Show in Alaska">Penske Truck Rental Helps Today Show in Alaska</a></p><p>Day 2: <a href="http://blog.gopenske.com/news/penske-and-%e2%80%9ctoday%e2%80%9d-lend-a-hand-in-las-vegas/" title="Penske and “Today” Lend a Hand in Las Vegas">Penske and “Today” Lend a Hand in Las Vegas</a></p><p>Day 3: <a href="http://blog.gopenske.com/news/penske-and-%e2%80%9ctoday%e2%80%9d-surprise-houston-charity/" title="Penske and “Today” Surprise Houston Charity">Penske and “Today” Surprise Houston Charity</a></p><p><em>By Kandace Wertz</em></p></div>
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Penske and “Today” Surprise Houston Charity
June 15, 2011
Penske and “Today” visited Houston June 15 on the third stop of the show’s annual Lend a Hand tour.
<p>With the help of <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">Penske Truck Rental</a> and other corporate sponsors, “Today” co-host <a href="http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/4515729/ns/today/t/al-roker/">Al Roker</a> made a surprise delivery to the Casa de Esperanza (House of Hope). The charity provides residential, medical and psychological care to children affected by abuse, neglect or poverty.</p><p>Al Roker delivered <a href="http://allday.today.com/_news/2011/06/15/6863325-lend-a-hand-will-break-single-day-donation-record-in-houston">more than $2.6 million in donations</a>, breaking the show’s record total for gifts. “Today” needed 10 storage units to house the donations in the weeks leading up to the broadcast. Penske rental agent location <a href="http://neartownministorage.com/">Neartown Mini Storage</a>, Houston, donated the use of its units.</p><p>Bruce Blackmon, a Penske hiker (contracted truck driver), and Emmalee Jorgenson, Penske’s rental sales representative, delivered donations to the charity in a Penske <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">rental truck</a> (see photo).</p><p>“We’re happy to be a part of such an exciting event,” said Jamie O’Malley, Penske’s district rental manager in Houston. “We’re proud that Penske donates time and rental trucks to make a difference in other people’s lives.”</p><p>For the seventh straight year, Penske is participating in Lend a Hand by donating the use of 26-foot consumer trucks to deliver donations to select charities.</p><p>Al Roker travels to Birmingham, Ala., tomorrow before finishing the road trip Friday in Charleston, W.V.</p><p>For updates of Al Roker’s weeklong trip, be sure to visit the “Move Ahead” blog daily, as well as the “Today” show’s ”<a href="http://allday.today.com/">allDAY</a>” blog and the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pensketruckrental">Penske Truck Rental Facebook</a> page.</p><p>Read about previous Lend a Hand stops:</p><p>Day 1: <a href="http://blog.gopenske.com/news/penske-truck-rental-helps-today-show-in-alaska/" title="Penske Truck Rental Helps Today Show in Alaska">Penske Truck Rental Helps Today Show in Alaska</a></p><p>Day 2: <a href="http://blog.gopenske.com/news/penske-and-%e2%80%9ctoday%e2%80%9d-lend-a-hand-in-las-vegas/" title="Penske and “Today” Lend a Hand in Las Vegas">Penske and “Today” Lend a Hand in Las Vegas</a></p><p><em>By Kandace Wertz</em></p></div>
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Penske and “Today” Lend a Hand in Las Vegas
June 14, 2011
With Penske’s rental trucks leading the way, the morning show’s co-host Al Roker presented nearly $1.5 million in donated items to The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, a nonprofit organization that prepares workers for employment in the dynamic Southern Nevada gaming and hospitality industry through training and education (in the top photo, Roker is preparing for today's broadcast).
<p>John Palfin, Penske’s district rental manager in Las Vegas, coordinated Penske Truck Rental’s local efforts with the “Today” production team. Palfin and fellow Penske associates Diana Wilson, rental sales representative, and Kyle Brennan, assistant district rental manager, drove the trucks to the charity.</p><p>“We are excited to be able to participate in an event that gives back to our community and assists those in need,” Palfin said.</p><p>Penske is participating in the five-day Lend a Hand series for the seventh consecutive year by donating the use of its <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">rental trucks</a> to deliver donations to various charities.</p><p><img class="rm-lazyloadable-image rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1dab379a62f58a952cd08723bfa9ab48" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTEyNjg5MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMDc5MTE2OH0.xyA2BFHn4UctqkVbYAOVfWXcOwTlg9_kepjuj0dRLRg/img.jpg?width=980" height="389" id="6cbdc" type="lazy-image" width="640"/>Al Roker continues the road trip tomorrow in Houston before heading to Birmingham, Ala., and Charleston, W.V., later in the week.</p><p>For updates of Al Roker’s five-day trip, be sure to visit the “Move Ahead” blog daily, as well as the “Today” show’s “<a href="http://allday.today.com/_news/2011/06/02/6773660-als-lend-a-hand-charity-road-trip-kicks-off-june-13">allDAY</a>” blog and the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pensketruckrental">Penske Truck Rental Facebook</a> page.</p><p>Earlier today, <a href="http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/">NBC 10 Philadelphia</a> visited Penske in Reading, Pa., as <a href="http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/on-air/about-us/Stacey-Weaver-Stauffer.html">Stacey Stauffer</a> interviewed vice president of rental Don Mikes (see second photo) for a story expected to air locally this evening.</p><p><em>By Kandace Wertz</em></p></div>
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Penske Truck Rental Helps Today Show in Alaska
June 13, 2011
With the help of Penske,Al Roker and the “Today” show are back on the road this week for the annual Lend a Hand goodwill tour, making their first stop June 13 in Anchorage, Alaska.
<p>During the show’s live broadcast, Roker arrived in Anchorage with more than $1.9 million in donated goods for Alaska PRIDE, a non-profit organization that provides a positive after-school environment for youth. The organization emphasizes the importance of education and success at school through music, dancing, art and other motivational activities. The contribution was the highest single total in the series’ history.</p><p>For the past six years, Penske has donated its <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">rental trucks</a> to Lend a Hand, a weeklong road trip during which Roker delivers much-needed items to small U.S. charities.</p><p>Even without a location in Anchorage, Penske was able to help supply trucks for Roker’s Alaskan journey. Penske representatives reached out to a long-time and valued local original equipment manufacturer –<a href="http://www.internationaltrucks.com/Trucks/"> International</a> – to help donate trucks to the cause.</p><p>“We wanted to do whatever we could to help the ‘Today’ show with their charity road trip,” said Jim Webber, Penske’s marketing project manager. “Supporting Lend a Hand is a great way for Penske to give back to the community.”</p><p>Tomorrow, Roker and a few Penske <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">rental trucks</a> will surprise a charity in Las Vegas, followed by visits later in the week to Houston; Birmingham, Ala.; and Charleston, W.V.</p><p>For updates of Roker’s five-day trip, be sure to visit the “Move Ahead” blog daily, as well as the “Today” show’s “<a href="http://allday.today.com/_news/2011/06/02/6773660-als-lend-a-hand-charity-road-trip-kicks-off-june-13">allDAY</a>” blog and the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pensketruckrental">Penske Truck Rental Facebook</a> page.</p><p><em>By Kandace Wertz</em></p></div>
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Penske Truck Rental to "Lend a Hand" to Today Show
June 08, 2011
“Today" co-host Al Roker and a parade of Penske trucks filled with donations from major corporations will surprise a different charity each morning during the show's live broadcasts June 13-17.
<p>For the past six years, Penske has donated 26-foot <a href="http://www.pensketruckrental.com/">consumer trucks</a> to Lend a Hand, a weeklong road trip during which Roker delivers much-needed items to small U.S. charities. “We're happy to respond once again to the 'Today' show's request for assistance with Lend a Hand," said Don Mikes, Penske's vice president of rental. “We take pride in giving back to the community."</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image"><img class="rm-lazyloadable-image rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="d25d097c9d3c6799201bdd80c2e26b51" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTEyNjg4OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNjI1MDEzMn0.KYTF5KbQ_BlHOmDoHSPGKHVmnwvppReh4FaGNZbQsjI/img.jpg?width=980" height="283" id="28448" type="lazy-image" width="502"/>Roker will visit the following cities during his goodwill tour:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Anchorage, Alaska – June 13</li> <li>Las Vegas – June 14</li> <li>Houston – June 15</li> <li>Birmingham, Ala. – June 16</li> <li>Charleston, W.V. – June 17</li></ul><p>Penske associates near these cities have been working diligently to aid the NBC production teams with securing trucks, drivers and storage facilities.</p><p>For updates of Roker's five-day trip, be sure to visit the “Move Ahead" blog daily next week, as well as the “Today" show's “<a href="http://allday.today.com/_news/2011/06/02/6773660-als-lend-a-hand-charity-road-trip-kicks-off-june-13">allDAY</a>" blog and the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pensketruckrental">Penske Truck Rental Facebook</a> page.</p><p><em>By Kandace Wertz </em></p></div>
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