The Southern Indiana Truck Convoy was established as a nonprofit organization in 2022.

In August that year, an event was conducted at the Ripley County Fairgrounds in Osgood that raised $17,000 for the group’s chosen charity, Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana, which helps fulfill the wishes of children with a critical illness.

At the second event this past August, the event drew 48 semi trucks, offered a variety of activities for attendees and raised $53,000. At the end of the event, the trucks went on a 27-mile route through four Ripley County towns.

“It was a huge leap, so we’re trying very hard to make sure some of that money we donated goes to a Wish child that was there that day,” said Lisa Sellers, director of the Southern Indiana Truck Convoy.

For the first time, the organization is partnering with a different organization for a convoy event.

The Seymour Parks and Recreation Department is having its Christmas Lights Parade on Dec. 16 in downtown Seymour, and Southern Indiana Truck Convoy is looking for semis, dump trucks, utility trucks, firetrucks and any others that have a Department of Transportation number to participate.

The cost is $30 per truck and includes a swag bag. Sponsorship opportunities of $100, $250, $500 and $1,000 also are available. To preregister or be a sponsor, call Sellers at 812-621-3067.

All proceeds will benefit The Arc of Jackson County, a nonprofit organization that advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Those interested in participating in the convoy should meet in the Robertson Feed Mill Parking Lot along Walnut Street at 5 p.m., and the parade will start at 5:30 p.m. All parade entries must be illuminated by Christmas lights.

“We want everybody to decorate their trucks. We’re trying to get the prize for the best decorated truck,” said Stefani Spall, a member of The Arc of Jackson County board.

There also will be a food truck set up in the parking lot, and people are encouraged to bring personal hygiene items, games, nonperishable food, school supplies, arts and crafts items, twin size sheets, comforters and blankets, dish towels and bath towels, which will be given to The Arc clients year-round.

“Anything that you would think of that if you were moving into an apartment and didn’t have anything you would need,” Spall said.

This collection drive is part of The Arc’s stuff a truck initiative, where a 53-foot semitrailer will be set up at some point outside Walmart Supercenter in Seymour for people to donate these items.

Melanie O’Neal, executive director of The Arc of Jackson County, said the donations will benefit clients in local direct service provider group homes and day programs for adults with special needs and special education students at local schools.

“It will just depend on what we receive, and then we will coordinate our yearly calendar and when we’re going to push this out into the community,” she said.

After the Christmas Lights Parade, the public is invited to watch fireworks in the B&O Railroad Parking Lot behind the Knights of Columbus.

Alfred Sellers, president of the Southern Indiana Truck Convoy, said in the future, he would like to help other causes in southern Indiana.

For information about the convoy, visit sitconvoy.org or email [email protected].