A record-breaking convoy drove the roads nationwide — all for the Special Olympics.

A part of “The World’s Largest Truck Convoy” raised money for Special Olympic athletes starting at the Sagamok Shell Station, 2428 S. Leaton Road, Saturday.

Law enforcement and truck drivers joined together to fund and bring awareness to Special Olympics.

Director of Law Enforcement Torch Run Ken Bennett said police and correctional officers do a lot to earn money for Special Olympics athletes.

“The convoy is only one way police and correction officers raise money,” said Bennett, a Mount Pleasant resident. “It is another way law enforcement can help the community and, in Michigan, we’ve raised around $350,000 for Special Olympics, including other events with police enforcement.”

Bennett said approximately $8,000 was raised for Special Olympics at the convoy. More than $643,000 was raised from the overall national event in 2008, according to Special Olympic Michigan’s Web site and Mount Pleasant has been a host site for the event for the past four years.

Police officials provided an escort for the convoy.

In the record books

The national convoy holds a Guinness World Record for the most trucks traveling at the same time from this year’s convoy.

Michigan hosts three of the national convoys in Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Mount Pleasant. In Mount Pleasant alone, 10 trucks and one bus drove through.

Each year, drivers bid to see who will lead the convoy. A Shepherd school bus won this year with a bid of $125.

Bus driver Arlene Jacobs said being the lead ‘truck’ comes out of the driver’s paycheck.

“The other bus drivers helped pitch in money for the bus to be in the event,” said Jacobs, a Shepherd resident. “I hope to try and get more buses in this next year.”

Buses only cost $50 and trucks $100. Other sales contribute to the total money raised for the athletes.

“Selling T-shirts, a 50-50 raffle and silent auction help raise money,” said Heather Fox, administrative secretary for development with Special Olympics Michigan.

Some Special Olympic athletes got the chance to ride in the trucks for a first-hand experience this year.

Truck driver Rob Kelly said he enjoyed getting to know the athletes.

“It’s neat to have that interaction and to meet the athletes,” said Kelly, a Dundee resident.

Athletes found the trucks a highlight of the event.

“I really like the semi trucks because of the size of them,” said Special Olympic athlete Nicole Snyder, who participates in hockey and cross-country skiing.

E-mail the author: Melissa Torok