Author: Holli Harter

Hear Chris’ Story

Following an accident while cooking in his truck, an injury to his hand left Chris unable to work for six months. Over this period, Chris had trouble making ends meet and requested assistance. Hear how the Anderson Assistance Foundation helped Chris pay for his expenses in his time of need and his advice for those experiencing hardship.

Watch Kevin’s Story

ATS Specialized Driver, Kevin B., decided to park his truck following his wife’s rare multiple sclerosis diagnosis so he could be with her. Hear his story of how the Anderson Assistance Foundation provided support that allowed him to focus on the important things in his life instead of how he’d pay his bills while he took some time off of work.

I am so grateful to the Anderson Assistance Foundation for all the help they have given me since my cancer diagnosis back in January of 2021.

I had to miss a ton of work days and used all of my PTO — and still missed another 30+ days of work with no pay due to all the days of chemotherapy infusions. We were still okay, but my great coworkers (Jay J. and Christy C.) still applied to the Foundation without my knowledge. I thought we still could handle all the bills with what we had in savings but you really don’t want to tap into that if there is a choice.

As it went, the Foundation approved the application and, in turn, paid two months’ worth of the mortgage on our home. We were overwhelmed by this gesture and very grateful for the generosity!

My wife, Holly, still talks about how much stress was taken off our shoulders with the help we received from the Foundation. We still feel so truly blessed and grateful for their help through the toughest time in my life.

• Brian W.

Watch Bill’s Story

Former ATS Blade Driver, Bill, had to stop driving due to a cancer diagnosis. Hear his story on how the Anderson Assistance Foundation helped him through the biggest fight of his life.

I lost my husband in early 2020. During the hardest time in my life, the Anderson Assistance Foundation (the Foundation) was there to help. I didn’t know if I would be able to cover my expenses at the time and thanks to the Foundation I was able to.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that has donated to the Foundation. It really helped in my greatest time of need.

– Denise Phillips

My family and I were recently impacted by the derecho in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Thanks to the Anderson Assistance Foundation, we were able to cover our living expenses during the month following the storm.

Your support allowed us to focus all of our energy on cleaning up our property. It was a huge relief for us and helped to lighten our load. We appreciate your generous support and are so grateful for the foundation.

– Anonymous

I was going through a hard time in my life and I needed to move. During that process, my car decided that it was time to cause problems. Between the costly car repairs and finding a place to live, things were becoming increasingly stressful. I didn’t know where to turn to.

Thankfully my coworkers understood my troubles and introduced me to the Anderson Assistance Foundation. With their support, I was able to find and begin living in my new apartment.

I am truly grateful to Anderson Trucking Service and the Anderson Assistance Foundation. I am not sure what I would have done if it wasn’t for this company and its foundation helping me in my time of need.

– Anonymous

It was time for SunBelt Furniture Xpress Warehouse Employee Chris S.’ family reunion and that meant a family basketball tournament. Chris said he was going up for a rebound during one of the games, came down a little funny and tweaked his knee.

He thought he dislocated his knee, but it turned out he tore ligaments around his knee cap and required surgery. Doctors said that would put him out of work for several months.

While Chris was working through the recovery process, he approached his manager about Short-Term Disability options. While his manager said there wasn’t a disability option that fit his needs at the time, the Anderson Assistance Foundation (the Foundation) would be a good option for Chris.

“I was like, is this for real?” Chris said.

His manager convinced him it was, in fact, for real. After submitting his information, the Foundation helped Chris cover rent and utility payments for a couple of months so he could focus on recovering his knee.

“It helped me out a whole lot. A whole lot,” Chris said.

Chris is now back at work for SunBelt and said he is even running a little. He hopes to be back in basketball shape in the near future.

“The Foundation is a huge, huge help,” Chris said. “I really, really appreciate it.”

On September 16, 2019, we received a call no parent wants to hear. Sawyer, a happy, energetic 3-year-old, had a seizure at daycare. It’s a call we will never forget.

We rushed him to St. Cloud Hospital Emergency Room after we picked him up. When we first saw him, it looked like he had just seen a ghost — white as a sheet and couldn’t talk. We were scared as to what had happened and what the outcome would be. After finding out that his blood results came back fine, the hospital sent us home on a strict 24-hour watch. If he had another episode then we would be flown down to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Thankfully, that never happened and we were in the clear.

The following Wednesday, the 18^th, we met with a pediatric neurologist. She did her testing and we were told Sawyer would need to continue to be on close watch. We had a follow-up on the 19^th with his primary doctor to have him looked at for a third time to make sure nothing was missed. He would need an MRI and EEG the following week. We had no idea what to expect, let alone what was going to happen.

On the morning of the 26^th, we woke up and Sawyer asked why dad (Bryce) was still home and why grandma was there. We headed to the hospital about 6:30 in the morning for check-in at 7:15. After exploring the room and getting checked in the Pediatric ICU department, we could finally breathe and get settled for the day. He was very interested in the mini toilet that was located in the room. He got right up on the bed and started to play with the toys we had brought with. He had no idea what was going on.

The nurses and doctors started to come in to get him prepped to be put under. First, they used a numbing medication on his hands for the IVs to be inserted. After those were placed, we were brought down to the MRI. They placed us in a small room while the Pediatric doctor was there to monitor Sawyer. He was then put to sleep shortly after. He did excellent during the MRI. 25 minutes later, they brought him and back up to the Pediatric ICU department. He looked lifeless — not moving — and peaceful. Once back in the room, they began the EEG test. It took about an hour.

After a long stressful day, the results came back fine. We were told one in 10 toddlers have a pediatric seizure for no reason.

Being a part of the Freightliner Team for less than a year and being able to apply for help with the Anderson Assistant Foundation helped cover bills that we had not expected. Thank you.

– Jennifer W.

Losing a loved one, especially your mother, is a difficult reality most of us have faced or will face in our lifetime. While your loved one is in and out of treatments in the hospital, you don’t really have time to plan for the inevitable. You want them to get better and that’s what all your time and energy goes into. Then it happens and they’re gone forever. Now comes the difficult part for the surviving family members: Funeral cost. It’s difficult to do, especially while grieving for your loved one. That’s where the Anderson Assistance Foundation really stepped up for my family and immensely helped us in our time of need and grieving to make sure our loved one had a proper burial. We are forever thankful for the help they sent to us.

– Roel L.