QAGOP

Penske Proudly Supports Wreaths Across America to Honor and Remember Veterans

Each December, National Wreaths Across America Day unites millions of volunteers to honor our nation’s veterans. Penske was proud to participate again this year, supporting remembrance ceremonies and wreath-laying events at military cemeteries, memorials and historic sites across the country.

Associates and their families joined local wreath-laying ceremonies nationwide, including events at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia; Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pennsylvania; Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri; Raleigh National Cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina; and historic sites in Chester, Virginia.

In St. Louis, Penske associate Kimberlee Sexton placed a wreath at her father’s gravesite at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery — a personal tribute that reflected the day’s deeper meaning.

Additionally, Epes Transport, a Penske Company, played an essential role by providing two trucks and two drivers to deliver wreaths to Arlington, Virginia, and Raleigh, North Carolina, helping ensure thousands of wreaths reached their destination.

Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization founded in 1992, began with a single act of gratitude and has grown into a nationwide movement dedicated to remembering fallen heroes, honoring those who serve and teaching future generations the value of freedom.

This year, Penske associates once again demonstrated pride, unity and gratitude, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to service, supporting veterans and making a meaningful difference within the communities we proudly call home.

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Penske Pink Out Celebrates 10 Years of Breast Cancer Awareness

Penske associates across the organization will join today for Penske Pink Out – an associate-led breast cancer awareness event now celebrating its 10^th year.

Maggie Seaman, National Account Manager - Northeast Region, whose mother passed away in 2017 from breast cancer, created Penske Pink Out to promote breast cancer education and to provide support to those battling the disease.

Penske Pink Out first began in 2015 with 200 associates in New Jersey and New York and has grown into a global movement.

Last year, more than 20,000 associates participated across Penske’s global footprint. Associates in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Mexico and the U.S. are expected to participate this year.

“I’ve seen a big shift in how we are open and communicating about breast cancer. Associates have embraced breast cancer awareness and demonstrated it is a very worthy cause,” Seaman said.

Breast Cancer by the Numbers

Penske Pink Out coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which seeks to bring attention to breast cancer and raise funds dedicated to finding a cure.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in Canada and the U.S. trailing only skin cancer.

In Canada, 30,500 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, representing 25% of all new cancer cases in women in 2024, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Meanwhile, in the U.S. 1 in 8 women, or approximately 13% of the female population will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).

In 2024, an estimated 310,720 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, according to the NBCF.

Driving Breast Cancer Awareness

In the weeks leading up to Penske Pink Out, associates held fundraisers, shared breast cancer information, and rallied around those who shared their connection to breast cancer.

Community service is an important part of the Penske Pink Out movement.

Nearly 200 associates in 15 states are participating in 24 American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks, which raises awareness and funds dedicated to research, 24/7 support for cancer patients and access to lifesaving screenings.

“Penske Associates, their families and friends that participate in their community at a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event; whether it is forming team/joining a team, organizing fundraisers or volunteering on the event planning committee are at the heart of advancing the mission of the American Cancer Society (ACS) to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families,” said Stephanie McDonald, Director of Corporate Relations for the American Cancer Society.

“Their involvement allows ACS to fund research breakthroughs in cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship - and most notably, allows ACS to provide direct patient support to cancer patients and their families, whether it is providing a free ride to treatment or a free place to stay when they are traveling far from home for their cancer treatments,” McDonald said.

In addition, associates have also donated time to support the ACS’ Hope Lodge communities. The network of more than 30 lodges provides a free place to stay for people facing cancer and their caregivers when they travel to seek treatment.

Penske Pink Out could not have been as successful as it has been without the support of associates and leadership across the organization, Seaman said.

“Without leadership support, this would have never taken off in the first place. I think we have not only leadership at Corporate, but senior leaders and area leaders in the field who have embraced it, and it has been something they have encouraged their teams to support and to give back to the community,” Seaman said.

Follow Penske's Facebook, Instagram and X pages to learn how our associates are marking #PenskePinkOut24.

Click the video below to learn more about Penske Pink Out and the associates who support it.

By Bernie Mixon

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Penske Pink Out Provides Community for Associates Touched by Breast Cancer

Like many college students, Lillia Evans cherished holiday visits to her Rochester, New York, home to reconnect with family and enjoy this special time with her mother, Evans’ champion and confidante.

Everything changed for Evans on a Thanksgiving visit eight years ago when her mother confided that she found a suspicious mass, which would later be diagnosed as breast cancer.

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Penske Supports Bike Ride Fundraiser for Wounded Air Force Veterans

Cyclists will ride from the Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina to the U.S. Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C., this week to raise funds for wounded Air Force veterans.

The inaugural Air Force Heritage Memorial to Memorial (M2M) bike ride will support the Air Force Association’s Wounded Airmen Program, which raises money to care for wounded airmen and women, who selflessly served the country.

Penske is proud to support the ride through a truck use donation to ride organizers, the Air Force Cycling Team (AFCT). The truck will be used to transport gear and luggage during the trip which began Thursday and ends on Sunday, which coincides with the 75^th anniversary of the Air Force.

“We are grateful to Penske. When Penske offered the truck, I knew this thing was going to happen,” said Robert "Surf" Beletic, the Air Force Cycling Team’s M2M organizer.

The AFCT will lead the four-day ride which will begin at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Long before their historic flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, ushered in the age of air travel, Orville and Wilbur Wright were bike enthusiasts, operating a shop in Dayton, Ohio.

“The Wright brothers themselves were bicyclists, so two bicycle mechanics created the first useable, flyable airplane,” Beletic said. “It is kind of our heritage, so we thought ‘let’s ride from there to the Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C’.”

In addition to honoring the Air Force and Space Force’s shared heritage of flight, the ride’s other goals are to promote fitness, camaraderie and Air Force and Space Force recruitment while raising funds for a great cause.

Participants set off from North Carolina on Thursday and rode 93 miles to Norfolk, Virginia. Today’s leg will take riders north across the Virginia Capital Trail. Riders will break for the evening and dine at the Virginia War Museum.

On Saturday, participants will continue their journey across Virginia before ending their ride on Sunday at the U.S. Air Force Memorial.

Penske’s truck use donation is an important part of the ride's success, Beletic said.

“The truck is the single biggest expense of the ride,” he said. “We need a truck to move luggage each day for 80 to 100 riders. Penske kindly offered a truck to support us,” he said. “It would be a big expense to rent the truck for five days, so we are so very grateful to Penske.”

By Bernie Mixon

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Penske Truck Rental Supports Special Olympics USA Games

More than 5,500 Special Olympics athletes and coaches will gather at venues across Orlando this week to participate in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.

Penske Truck Rental is proud to partner with the Games by donating trucks to assist with the logistics of facilitating and operating the events and to cheer on the athletes as they live out their Olympic dreams.

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Penske Truck Leasing Districts Honored Black History Month with Service and Education

Four Branch Rental Managers at Atlanta West Fulton worked together to educate their team. One of them – Zachary Ivey, Branch Rental Manager of Atlanta West – explains:

“In the Atlanta West Fulton district, our main goal for Black History Month is to educate. We have four BRMs here in the district – myself in Atlanta West, Nita Rodney in Downtown Atlanta, Devin Johnson of Atlanta West Fulton and Brandy Harris of Kennesaw – which sets up perfectly for the four weeks in February. Each of us takes the time once a week to inform the members of our district of different people, events, quotes and more that highlight significant moments and achievements throughout history.”

He continues, sharing his perspective on the importance of diversity in the workplace and beyond:

“From top to bottom, our district has plenty of diversity with race, ethnicity and gender. Because of this, it allows for a multitude of different opinions, perspectives and backgrounds. We believe this is a key to success because if everyone thinks the same, there is not much room for growth. Attempting to learn and grow more is something we strive to do on an everyday basis throughout the district. We are dedicated to making this month as informative and seamless as possible.”

The team at Penske's Atlanta West Fulton district. L to R: Nita Rodney, Branch Rental Manager; Zachary Ivey, Branch Rental Manager; Joseph Alexander, District Rental Manager; Devin Johnson, Branch Rental Manager; Laprecious Brock, Assistant District Rental Manager; Brandy Harris, Branch Rental Manager

Associate volunteers from the Cleveland District organized a food drive in honor of Black History Month. The district came together to support Black and African American-owned businesses while collecting canned goods for two pantries across state lines. Cory Childress, Maintenance Coordinator, elaborates:

“We organized a canned goods drive for the Freedom Church Food Pantry located here in Cleveland, OH and the Sister Mary Pascal Gray Food Pantry located in Erie, PA. Each canned good donation grants employees a raffle ticket to our basket raffle. The basket prizes feature products from four local Black or African American owned business. Our goal is to give winners a taste of each business' products and ultimately bring new customers to that business, supporting the communities. We had such good participation in February that we’ve extended the drive into March. We can’t wait to deliver what we’ve collected.”

Associates at Penske's Cleveland district pose with their food drive donations and raffle prizes.

Cory continues, sharing how the district also engaged in education and awareness throughout Black History Month:

“Additionally, we worked with Owens Print and Creative Solutions to put together posters that feature groundbreaking quotes from the likes of Rosa Parks, Barack Obama, George Washington Carver and Maya Angelou. Each location received their items to be hung throughout the month of February as we commemorated Black History Month. Furthermore, we highlighted influential Black and African American leaders every Tuesday and Thursday during our shift huddles."

Associates at Penske's Cleveland district hung posters highlighting Black History Month.

The Toronto District held a team lunch in recognition of Black History Month. Branch Rental Manager Eric Boyd says:

“To celebrate Black History Month, we were able to come together as a team and share in some delicious dishes. During the lunch, we spoke about the importance of Black history in general as well as specifically within the transportation industry. Something many of us learned during this lunch was that the APU system that is in so many vehicles today was invented by an African American.”

The District Event Council in Miami – led by Dom Scott, Assistant District Rental Manager; Konstantin Kaufmann, Rental Sales Representative; and Ladarius Brown, Management Trainee – organized a fundraiser for South Florida-based organization, Power U Center for Social Change. Associates who donated money to the organization wore jeans to work on Feb. 11, spreading awareness for the organization and Black History Month. The fundraiser was successful, but Dom says that the opportunity to “shine a light on Black History Month” was of paramount importance.

Dom Scott participates in his district's fundraiser for Power U Center for Social Change.

In honor of Black History Month, the North Bergen District collected school supplies for Martin Luther King Jr. Academy in Yonkers, NY for the second year in a row. This year, they collected and delivered school supplies to a reading program comprised of 60 students in grades one through five. Kevin Burns, Branch Manager; Cherise Challenger, Assistant District Rental Manager; and Kelly Cramer, Assistant District Rental Manager; all had a hand in putting the event together. Kelly shares her experience:

“The kids’ faces lit up when we gave them their new supplies. Because of COVID, they are unable to use the water fountains, so they’d specifically requested water bottles. They were so happy and excited to receive the bottles, giving us hugs and thanks for something that many of us take for granted. To see them so genuinely grateful almost brought us to tears. I felt honored to be a part of this opportunity to give back; I absolutely love that our district could be a part of such an impactful community experience.”

Cherise Challenger delivers school supplies to students at Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy.

The experience was even more impactful for Operations Coordinator, Suzanne Ancrum, because it meant a bittersweet return to her childhood halls. She explains:

“In 2021, a colleague expressed her desire to do something in honor of Black History Month. It was then I suggested we reach out to my former elementary school, the Martin Luther King Jr. Academy in Yonkers, NY. We filled bookbags with school supplies, hand sanitizer and face masks. This year, our District Manager, Daniel Montero, asked me to head up another donation event. When I contacted the principal, she asked us to adopt the 60 students of the higher reading program. She supplied a list of the students’ needs, including their most desired books, and Kevin Burns and I divided the list among the district so that each location could participate. The support was fantastic – everyone who was asked to participate did so happily. I could not ask for a better district to be in.”

Penske Truck Leasing associates gather to distribute school supplies. Above, L to R: Kelly Cramer, Suzanne Ancrum, Cherise Challenger; Center: Tyler Visentin

Suzanne continues, reflecting on the donation day:

“In the end, every child received a bookbag filled with notebooks, markers, folders and crayons in addition to a book appropriate for their grade level. It was truly an amazing experience – we received so many hugs from the students and staff and seeing the students’ surprised, happy faces meant everything to us. Being back at the school and seeing how much has remained the same was bittersweet for me – it brought up so many great memories I’ve made there.”

Students at Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy in Yonkers, NY pose after receiving school supplies from Penske Truck Leasing associates.

With Suzanne’s passionate leadership and her district’s support, North Bergen will be back again next year, delivering more smiles and supplies in honor of Black History Month.

By Sarah Althen

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Penske Supports 8th Annual Tree Day in Tennessee

Tennessee’s tree population – weakened by a series of challenges both natural and man-made – will receive a much-needed boost thanks in part to Penske Truck Rental.

Nearly 75,000 baby trees will be planted across the state on Saturday as part of the Tennessee Environmental Council’s eighth statewide Tennessee Tree Day (TTD).

Seven Penske rental trucks transported the seedlings to holding areas in 10 locations across the state, where they will wait to be claimed by about 15,000 volunteers who will plant the baby trees in yards, farms and other locations.

“Tennessee Tree Day is enormously popular. I am amazed that every year thousands of new people come to participate. There is no end to the well of interested people who want to plant trees,” said Jeff Barrie, CEO of the Tennessee Environmental Council (TEC), a nonprofit dedicated to increasing public awareness about the value of trees and their contribution to the health of the environment.

Benefits of a Healthy Tree Population

Fast beyond their aesthetic value, trees enrich the environment and add value to communities. Trees provide shade that helps cool communities, making it a more pleasant experience for those living in them.

“We also know that trees produce a significant amount of oxygen that enable animals and humans to live,” Barrie said. “We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, and trees do the opposite. It is a great symbiotic relationship upon which all life depends.”

In addition, trees help with stormwater runoff during flooding. “We like for people to plant trees near waterways for that reason,” said Cynthia Hernandez, Tennessee Tree Program Manager.

In recent years, ice storms, tornadoes and housing development have all impacted the tree canopy in Tennessee. “The natural disasters alone are the leading cause of tree death and tree loss,” Barrie said. “We think at the very least we need to do our part to replace the trees that have been lost.”

Driving Community Service

This is the third year that Penske’s Nashville location has provided trucks for Tennessee Tree Day. The trucks were loaded up this week with 15,000 trees each for transport to locations across the state. It’s the equivalent of 170 acres of tree canopy being transported in each Penske truck, Barrie said.

Penske truck delivers 10,000 trees to Evergreen Nursery in Johnson City, Tennessee.

The trucks have played an important role in the success of TTD.

“Penske, for the past three years, has been very generous in supporting the event by an in-kind contribution of trucks,” Barrie said. “It makes our event possible. It would be much more expensive if we didn’t have that support from Penske.”

Volunteers will plant 12 tree species native to Tennessee: Bald Cyprus, Eastern Redbud, Gray Dogwood, Hybrid Chestnut, Northern Red Oak, Nuttall Oak, Pawpaw, Pecan, Red Mulberry, Shagbark Hickory, Shellbark Hickory, Virginia Pine and Wild Plum.

The trees are bare-root seedlings, which means they have no soil at the root. The seedlings are kept in bags during the transport process to protect them during the trip to one of 10 hubs across the state.

While young trees are more resilient, and weather the transport and transplanting process better, it is important to plant the seedlings as soon as they are removed from the bag to prevent their roots from drying out.

Impact on Future Generations

TEC has aided in the planting of nearly 742,000 trees across Tennessee since 2007 and the nonprofit has a goal of planting a million trees by 2025.

When mature, the tree planting will result in 8,500 acres of new tree canopy providing wildlife and pollinator habitat, 11 million tons of carbon dioxide captured, 26 billion gallons of rainwater filtered, and oxygen produced for more than 2 million Tennessee residents every year, according to TEC.

Yet, another important benefit is planting a seed of conservation in the minds of the next generation of Tennessee residents.

“The greatest thing is families will watch the trees grow as their kids grow. And those trees will be on their property for decades and perhaps generations,” Barrie said. “They will reap the benefits of the trees they plant.”

“One of the best ways people can help the environment and the community is to plant a tree,” Barrie said. “Penske makes it doable and affordable for us to do this for thousands of people in Tennessee, so we greatly appreciate the support.”

Visit www.tectn.org/tennesseetreeday for more information about the event.

By Bernie Mixon

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Penske Associates Drive Global Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast cancer awareness and early detection will take center stage today at Penske locations across the globe as more than 25,000 associates take part in the seventh annual Penske Pink Out.

The associate-led event, which began in 2015 in the U.S. with 200 associates, has grown to locations across Penske's international footprint. Associates in Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, and The Netherlands are taking part.

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Military Spouse Appreciation Day Celebrates Service on the Homefront

A year after the pandemic forced Support Military Families (SMF) to cancel its annual Military Spouse Appreciation Day (MSAD) event, the charity will host a socially distant celebration today at three military installations across North Carolina.

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Associates Lace Up For a Breast Cancer Cure

Editor’s note: This story is part of our “50 Stories of People Helping People” series. As we celebrate Penske’s 50th anniversary in 2019, we are spotlighting associates every Friday who are making a difference in their communities.

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Fighting Hunger in North Dakota One Delivery at a Time

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#PenskeTruckLeasing50th 50 Stories of People Helping People Community Service Daily Bread Emergency Food Pantry food insecurity Great Plains Food Bank hunger Penske Logistics Penske Truck Leasing Penske Truck Rental transportation Volunteering

Associates Donate Backpacks and School Supplies to Students

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Penske Proudly Supports Wreaths Across America to Honor and Remember Veterans

Penske Pink Out Celebrates 10 Years of Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer by the Numbers

Driving Breast Cancer Awareness

Ninth Annual Penske Pink Out Drives Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer by the Numbers

Gaining Ground on Breast Cancer

Penske Pink Out Provides Community for Associates Touched by Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer by the Numbers

Driving Breast Cancer Awareness

From Advocacy to Community

Penske Supports Bike Ride Fundraiser for Wounded Air Force Veterans

Penske Truck Rental Supports Special Olympics USA Games

Special Olympics

Partnerships and Volunteers Drive Games Success

Penske Supports Annual Salute to Military Spouses

Honoring Service on the Homefront

Proud Military Supporter

Penske Truck Leasing Districts Honored Black History Month with Service and Education

Penske Supports 8th Annual Tree Day in Tennessee

Penske Associates Drive Global Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer by the Numbers

Making Strides Toward a Cure

Military Spouse Appreciation Day Celebrates Service on the Homefront

Penske Sleigh Brings Christmas Cheer to Military Families in the Carolinas

A Season of Giving

Delivering Christmas Cheer

Penske Pink Out Supporter Credits Early Detection for Breast Cancer Survival

Breast Cancer by the Numbers

A Pink Movement

Story of Survival

Penske Associates and Customers Value Community Service and Volunteerism

Penske Associates Drive a Legacy of Volunteerism at Area Ronald McDonald Houses

Associate Effort Drives Breast Cancer Awareness

Associates Lace Up For a Breast Cancer Cure

Fighting Hunger in North Dakota One Delivery at a Time

Penske Associates Team Up to Raise Funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Associates Donate Backpacks and School Supplies to Students