Making moves in the COPA América Centenario

Written by Mark List

I’ve worked for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® the last three years, the first two as an intern,

Mark List, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK International — Mark List, DOT and Fleet Safety Specialist

and this past year full-time after graduating from Grand Valley State University where I was collegiate runner in cross country and track. Sports had always been a staple in my life, and for many years I had participated in soccer. So when I was approached about helping coordinate efforts for COPA America Centenario, as TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® was contracted to provide trucks to transport the competing teams’ equipment to and from the airport during their stay throughout 10 different cities across the U.S., I jumped at the opportunity!

For the first time in its 100 year history, the COPA America Centenario was hosted in the U.S. Throughout the 10 cities, 16 men’s soccer teams played 32 matches during the month of June. Nearly 1.5 million fans came together over the duration of the tournament, averaging more than 46,000 in attendance at each game.

Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL — TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® pictured at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL during the COPA America Centenario!

As part of my TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® coordination duties for the tournament, I “lived” in a hotel and worked in Chicago at the COPA America Centenario headquarters on Michigan Avenue for two weeks. With my “day job” as a DOT and Fleet Safety Specialist at the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® corporate office, I had gotten used to traveling and life in hotels, but being 15 stories up on the north side of Chicago overlooking Lake Michigan was a pretty great start to this experience.

One of the first things I had to do upon my arrival in Chicago was meet with Delta Airline’s corporate team, and the head of security for both of Chicago’s airports, Midway International and O’Hare International. This meeting was to discuss standard safety procedures for entering and exiting the tarmacs, not only in Chicago, but across the country. This meeting was the first time I really saw the enormous effort it would take from our teams in each city. The expectations were already high, but at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® our mission statement holds us to a higher standard!

It was at this point I actually stepped foot on the tarmac with Lauren Munson, marketing coordinator for our Chicago franchises. We were walked through how to get onto the tarmac, expectations of our drivers, and exiting the tarmac. Little did I know, in a few days I would be out greeting Team USA and assisting our move team onto the tarmac to load all of their equipment!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Chicago moving for COPA América Centenario — TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Chicago crew members Jeff and Ethan working to move team equipment during the COPA América Centenario soccer tournament!

Overall, COPA went very smoothly for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® due to the hard work of our franchisees, managers, movers, and drivers. Without their dedication and positive attitudes, this event wouldn’t have been as successful as it was.

I’m very thankful I had the opportunity to work with these franchises and develop several friendships within our system, as well as outside. It was an amazing experience on all fronts, and let’s be honest, how many jobs allow you to watch elite level soccer matches as a true facet of your position? I want to say thank you again to all the franchises for supporting me and making it an easy few weeks of coordination with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® and the COPA tournament, the Transportation Team including Rich, Lisa, Gina, Mark, Jen, Maria, and Lou for a memorable experience in Chicago, and lastly, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®/International, Inc., for setting me up for success and putting me in a position to learn and grow from various experiences I’ve had during my time with the company!

Mark List - COPA Transportation Team — Mark List with the Transportation Team in Chicago!

For more photos during our time moving teams throughout the tournament, view our Facebook album!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. For more information or to learn about opportunities in becoming a franchisee at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® visit franchise.twomenandatruck.com to begin moving your career forward!

Don’t get burned: Your guide to moving during the summer

Tips for summer moving

While summer moves may be easier, with the longer days and the kids out of school, the heat can also bring its own set of problems. And if you’re planning to pick up soon and put down roots elsewhere this June, July, or August, it’d be a smart move to plan ahead so you don’t get burned. With our quick tips guide, you’ll be more than ready to keep your cool throughout your move.

Beware the busy season

According to the 2011 U.S. Census, more than one-third of all moves happen during the summer months. With these months being the most popular for moving, many companies such as TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® are booked solid for weeks in advance. If you can, start looking for moving companies at least 6-8 weeks before the date you’d like to move, and book one not long after you’ve found your favorite company. It’ll make your movers happier and your own stress subside.

Things that melt

No matter how large your moving truck may be, some things just aren’t meant to be stowed back there in the summertime. And that’s because, as you drive them on over to your new home, they’ll either melt or get damaged by the heat that’s trapped inside your big metal box on wheels.

When you’re packing, be sure to leave some cool space inside the car for things like candles (which will melt); CDs, videos, and cassette tapes (which will warp); and any items pressurized inside of cans, such as sodas and hairspray (which could burst). Also, furniture upholstered in leather will “sweat” if wrapped in plastic, so be sure the company you’ve hired to move you uses furniture pads under their stretch wrap to keep furniture protected.

Stay hydrated

When you’re in the thick of moving, it’s easy to shrug off the small things – like drinking enough water. In the heart of summer, that’s a dangerous choice. Instead, you have to be smart about keeping the heat of your movers in mind.

If possible, either schedule your move early in the morning to get a jump on the day, or late in the evening to avoid the heat of the high-noon sun. Beyond that, have cold water and sports drinks readily available for both your family and the moving crew. Respect their needs to take breaks from being beneath the blaze of the summer sun. And, if it’s financially feasible for you, buy lunch for the whole crew as well. Since it’s the busy season, your moving guys have probably been working 14 days straight (or more) throughout the summer, and a little kindness and consideration can go a long way here.

Also, be sure to keep an extra eye on the kids and pets, as they aren’t as good as keeping their cools as you are.

The cost of being cool

Moving always comes with a number of financial costs – whether that’s having to pay a moving company, asking for days off of work, or connecting home utilities and services in your new place. But the cost most folks forget, especially in the summer, is the cost of cooling when moving.

Even if you remember to turn the A/C off completely when you leave your old place, and turn it to a moderate, chilled temperature at your new one, the bill’s always higher than you’d expect. Here’s why:

Your new home likely didn’t have the air conditioning turned on before you moved in, so it’ll need to do a lot of cooling just to get caught up.
The doors to your home will be open for extended periods of time as people walk in and out moving your belongings, making it harder for your home to retain the cooler air.
You’ll have a number of sweaty people moving hot boxes and warm furniture into your new place, transferring all that heat inside along with it.

If you’re moving in the summer and would rather not be swimming in sweat the entire time, then you’ll want your A/C up and running. Just be sure to keep in mind that you’ll be paying for this cooling cost so you may prepare your wallet accordingly.

Even before you bring that first box outside, remember to apply sunscreen, wear light and loose-fitting clothing, and drink plenty of water. Moving is more marathon than sprint, and you’ll want to make sure you make it to the end to enjoy the cool fruits of all your summer labors inside your new home.

Author: Rob Caiello is a Vice President of Marketing over at Allconnect. Since 1998, Allconnect has simplified and expedited the purchase and setup of home utilities and services (like Internet, TV, and Electricity) for millions of movers relocating all across the United States.

Moving with kids: avoid the moving day blues

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Written by Katie Peterson

In movies, it always seems like moving is just about the worst news a kid can hear. Boxes are packed, the sad music plays, and it starts raining just as the car pulls out of the driveway, right past the “sold” sign in the front yard. But moving with kids does not have to be a dramatic movie plot-twist. Here’s how to help your kids avoid the moving blues and maybe even have a little fun along the way!

Before the move

Move meeting

Conduct a family “move meeting” to talk about the process and ease their nerves about the move. The more your children feel involved in the decision making, the less they will feel like they are being forced to do something they don’t want to do. Create a moving day plan so they may check off the events as they happen. For example, 1. Movers arrive, 2. Truck is all loaded up, 3. Drive to new house … and so on.

Start planning their new room

Help your child plan their new room setup and design. Take your child to the new place and have them talk about where they want to put their furniture or what color they want to paint their walls. This will help build up their excitement and give them fun decisions to make.

New owner letter

Sit down with the whole family and write a letter to the new owners of your home. This can be a fun and memorable experience for everyone. Tell the family moving in why the house is special and what they need to know going in, such as the first bedroom being the best room for making forts or the neighbor’s cat Frisky often wanders toward the apple blossom tree in the back yard. The family will have fun remembering stories while you write and the new owners will love the personal instruction guide.

During the move

Put them to work!

Assign age-appropriate tasks for the kids. Utilize those extra helping hands! Older kids might be able to help label or tape boxes while younger kids help wipe down tables or clean windows. Make a game out of these mini tasks by awarding winners for the fastest packer or the most rooms vacuumed.

“Day of move” box

Pack a “Day of Move” box for each child to keep their favorite small items with them. Packing all of your belongings into boxes and putting them in the back of a moving truck can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t quite understand where your stuff will end up. Your child might even like Truckie’s moving journal to write down some of their thoughts about the move to keep with them. If your kids have some of their favorite things, they will feel more comfortable with the rest of their belongings being packed .

After the move

Go exploring

Explore your new neighborhood! Once your tennis shoes are finally unpacked, take a stroll around the neighborhood with the kids. This will be a great opportunity to get familiar with the area and maybe meet some of your neighbors.

It’s all about attitude

Stay positive and keep your excitement up. Make sure your kids know how happy you are to be in the new house. Your kids will feed off of your energy and how you are reacting to the move, so if you are positive and excited about it, chances are they will be, too!

Moving with kids can be tough, but with the right preparation and a positive mindset, you can make moving with your kids a memorable adventure.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

7 toy storage solutions that will save your sanity

Playing

Whether through a few too many well-meaning gifters or by your own hand, you may have reached a point where there are too many toys and something needs to be done. There are several benefits to downsizing and better storing your children’s toys, from encouraging creativity to simplifying your life. If this sounds good to you, here are some tried-and-true dos and don’ts to get you started.

DO:

Rotate toys

Consider packing away toys that aren’t played with as much. Every few weeks, make a point to rotate them back in and pack away another few toys. Make sure when you do this that you are involving your child in these decisions. According to Dr. Kim John Payne, “An avalanche of toys invites emotional disconnect and a sense of overwhelm.” Playful Learning actually has this down to a science, spinning off a ton of reasons you’re going to love it, including fewer sibling fights, easier cleanup, and deeper engagement with the toys that remain.

If you’re in need of storage for toys in rotation, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® provides a variety of boxes ranging in size to fit any toy you’ve got!

Get crafty

Making toy storage into a DIY project has the added benefit of giving you a chance to get crafty. If you enjoy that sort of thing, this can be a fun activity you can even get the kids involved in. Bianca over at Cute DIY Projects shares more than 30 of her favorite toys storage ideas for crafty moms, including arty wooden crates, a toy box on wheels, and toy sacks for quick picking up on-the-go.

Upcycle household items

Repurpose used items around the home instead of throwing them away. Not only will this help get your toy situation in order, it’s good for the environment and saves you money. Common items to consider include planters, coffee tins, baby wipe containers, paint cans, and mason jars. Slap on some paint or fancy paper and you’ve got custom-made home storage without spending a bundle.

Get smart about space

Ottomans with hollowed out insides for storage are your best friend. Not only can they enhance the decorative appeal of the home, you also are maximizing your space. Using hanging storage is another way to maximize limited space. Combine your crafty and upcycling skills to deliver a triple threat of hanging toy storage that’s cute, crafty, and green!

DON’T:

Buy containers without planning

Before heading out and stocking up on containers, take inventory of what needs to be contained. For example, is it a small-toy situation that could use a sack? Are there too many stuffed animals, something a stuffed animal hammock could solve? Making a list and customizing your storage solutions will not just save you money, it will save you the insanity of having a bunch of unused containers floating around adding to the clutter.

Take a one-size-fits-all approach

Different containers serve different purposes. It’s a common mistake to buy a bunch of storage containers that are all the same size and use them for everything. Instead, try to diversify. Some popular examples of toy storage types include steel trunks and storage baskets. Wall organizers, hanging baskets, under-the-bed storage, and caddies also are popular choices.

Forget your audience

While organization is great, don’t forget your audience! When plotting your toy storage solutions, ensure the toys you want your children to access can be safely and easily accessed. In addition to considering physical constraints, think of ways to make it fun so that your kids will want to play along. This could be in the form of a storage crate or sack custom to each kid, or a chalkboard toy box they’ll want to use again and again!

Content developed in association with The Parham Group and Noah’s Ark Self Storage.

What movers can’t move

Written by Jessy Howe

The last thing you’ll want to run into come moving day, is learning a handful of items in your home are ones your movers are unable to move. To avoid being in a situation where you’re left to move certain items on your own, we recommend speaking with your movers in advance so you know ahead of time what the crew may not be able to transport to your new home. This way, you have plenty of time to make other arrangements for these particular items and there are no surprises on moving day.

At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, there are few items we are unable to move due to certain rules and regulations. Federal law bans moving companies from the transportation of any hazardous materials including propane, paint, antifreeze, or ammunition to name a few. This means items that have gas in them such as lawnmowers and grills are also prohibited. Other items we are unable to move include food, money, jewelry, living things including plants and animals, and other sentimental items.

As the Movers Who Care®, we have your best interest in mind and make it our goal to provide you a top notch move. Watch our animated video below for a detailed list and to prepare for a successful move!

For a complete list of items movers are unable to move, please contact your local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® office!

Be sure to like us on Facebook and subscribe to our blog for more helpful tips and updates. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®’s busiest move weekend is quickly approaching!

Written by Katie Peterson

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK's busiest move weekend

While most summer-lovers are looking forward to a relaxing weekend away from work, our teams at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® are gearing up for our busiest time of year. On Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® will experience its busiest weekend of the year, totaling 5,400 moves across the country in just those two days. This averages out to about 21 moves per franchise or three moves each minute! We cannot wait to get started, as this will be a great opportunity to move so many of our customers forward on to the next chapters of their lives.

As exciting as this is, we also know how stressful the moving process can be. Because of this, we have helpful tips and tricks to make your experience the best it can be. Together, we can ensure our busiest weekend of the year is also the best weekend of the year.

Get (and stay!) organized

We want to ensure you are prepared and ready for us when we arrive, and we know just how to help make sure that happens!

Pack and label your boxes according to which room they will go in at the new place and have them in a centralized location when the movers arrive. This will make it easier on you and on your movers for unloading and unpacking.
Make sure all appliances and electronics are unplugged before we arrive. You also may want to take a photo or make a note of how your electronics are set up before you unplug and pack. This will save you time later and maybe even a call to the cable guy.
Be sure your movers have enough space to move! Not only inside your home but outside as well. It’s important your movers have adequate parking for the moving truck near your driveway or entrance, and that walkways are clear to avoid trip hazards.

Being organized is important! If you take these steps beforehand, you’ll be sure to come out ahead.

Keep communication open with your movers

With more than 30 years of experience in the moving industry, there isn’t much we haven’t seen at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®. It is important to communicate with us throughout all aspects of your moving process so we can provide you the best experience possible.

“Even if you don’t know the exact day of your move, calling in early and giving us an idea makes things easier. This gives us an opportunity to create more options to fit the needs of your move,” said TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Boise General Manager Chris Jones.

The more communication we can have with our customers, the faster and easier the job will go, and the quicker you can be settled into your new place. Even after your move, keep in touch! We love to hear reviews of things we did well or even things we can improve on for our future moves.

Try not to stress

We’ve got this! Our professionally trained movers have the muscle and experience to handle your moving stress, and we are here to exceed your expectations. This is an exciting time for you and we want you to enjoy it. In the end, all you should have to worry about is how you’re going to decorate your new place. Even with this busy weekend ahead we are excited and inspired by the sheer amount of families we will be able to help and interact with, and we are well-prepared for the challenge. With your help and participation, we are looking forward to this fun adventure!

Like us on Facebook for more helpful tips and updates. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward!

Moving day essentials – what to pack

Written by Jessy Howe

Moving Day Essentials

Feelings of excitement to finally arrive at your new home mixed with an inkling of stress to complete the tasks of moving day can be overwhelming! We’ll do the heavy lifting, but we do have a tip to make your day run smoothly – pack an essentials bag for the day of your move!

It sounds so simple but can easily be forgotten with the number of other to-dos being taken care of on moving day. Set aside one bag, or box, and keep it with you throughout the duration of your move. This box should contain anything you feel is essential to have on the day of your move. If you need a day of the move box, ask your local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®! Here are our suggestions to get you started.

Snacks

Chances are you’ll have cleared out your refrigerator by moving day and may not have time, or items unpacked, to prepare a meal in your new house right away. Keep granola bars, fruit, bottled water, and other packaged snacks with you to stay fueled.

Medication

Place any prescription drugs in your bag of essentials to ensure you know where they are at all times in case of a medical emergency.

Paper products

Imagine arriving at your new home to realize you’ve forgotten a key essential – toilet paper! In addition, bringing along paper plates, plastic silverware, cups, napkins, and trash bags will be useful if kitchen supplies are still boxed up.

Toiletries

Keep items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, travel shampoo and conditioner, towels, and soap with you to freshen up upon arriving.

Tech needs

Avoid misplacing your phone, computer, or any other chargers you’ll need. Put them in your essentials box!

Important papers

We recommend keeping important documents including birth certificates, passports, and other information in a safe place on moving day. This can include a few boxes you choose to transport yourself, or a locked safe loaded onto the moving truck.

Change of clothes

Trust us, you may want a change of clothes with you, especially if you’re moving and organizing during the hot, summer months!

What would you deem a day of move essential? We’d like to know! Like us on Facebook for more helpful tips and updates. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward!

6 things people do to complicate their move

Whether across town or to a different country, moving can be one of the most stressful things you will do in your life. There are a number of things you need to do and take care of, some of which may or may not be in your control. And if you are a first-time mover, there is a good chance your inexperience will cause you to make costly and timewasting mistakes that end up making your move more difficult than it could have been.

Here is a quick look at some of the most common things people do to complicate their move and what you can learn from them.

1. Deciding to do everything themselves

Many people underestimate the amount of work involved in moving. They are confident they can do everything themselves, without letting movers, or even friends, enter the picture. True, if you have moved in the past and do not have too many things to pack, you may be able to execute a successful move on your own. But what do you think will happen if you injure your back on moving day, carrying heavy boxes down the stairs? Or say, the rental truck you hired is not big enough to load all your belongings?

Also, driving a huge moving truck is not the same as driving a car. You have to pay special attention to the weighing station and overhead clearance signs, while also keeping in mind the truck has a larger turning radius and will need more time to come to a full stop when you apply the brakes.

2. Hiring the first mover they come across

Hiring the wrong moving company can cause you a lot of undue complications on moving day. To avoid getting trapped in such situations, thoroughly research your moving company before signing the contract. Ask your family and friends for recommendations. Never forget that a low-price quote does not always translate to a good experience. Go online to find out what customers have to say about their experiences with the mover. Do they regularly double-book to land more jobs? Are their employees permanent staff and not temporary employees? Will they give you a free estimate or better yet, a thorough walk-through of your home for an accurate estimate? Are there any hidden charges? Do they have a license from the Department of Transportation? Do they have enough insurance? Can they provide references?

Taking the time to research and speak with reputable, professional movers will ensure a stress-free move and overall great experience.

3. Failing to plan the move in advance

Planning a move well in advance will give you enough time to research all the variables involved and make the correct decisions. In addition to packing, moving entails a whole lot of other steps, including arranging for the utilities to be switched, requesting the necessary paperwork from your kids’ schools, arranging for the transfer of your medical records, booking flight tickets, submitting change of address forms, and of course, finding the new rental or perfect purchase you’ll call home. Most experts advise keeping a moving folder to track all paperwork related to the move. Remember, the better you prepare, the easier your move will be.

Don’t forget that most moves happen during summer before the new school year starts. As a result, most moving companies are extremely busy during this season. Failure to plan the move beforehand can leave you scrambling for a good (and available) mover with just a couple of days left for the big day. You don’t need me to tell you what that will do to your stress levels!

4. Not setting aside enough time for packing

Packing always takes more time than you think. People who wait until the last minute to start packing are left with no option, but to dump everything in the moving boxes without sorting or purging. This results in paying extra money to the movers for transporting stuff they are never going to use.

Moving offers you a great chance to cull the unnecessary stuff you have accumulated over the years. Discard, sell, or give away all the clothes, books, furniture, and appliances you haven’t used in the last year. This will reduce your unpacking time and save you a lot of valuable storage space in your new home. Who knows, selling your gently used items may even earn you some extra cash in the bargain!

Ideally, you should begin packing for your move as soon as you finalized the moving date. Start by boxing up what you don’t use on a daily basis or will not need until after the move, such as seasonal clothes, holiday dishes, and so on.

5. Skimping on packing supplies

Getting cheap, used cardboard boxes from your neighborhood grocery store might seem like a good idea at first – until the first one falls apart on your stairs on moving day. Or your wedding china fails to make the trip intact.

Invest in good quality packing supplies, such as strong, clean boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, moving blankets, and so on. This will save you a lot of stress and headache come moving day.

6. Not packing an essentials moving box

An essentials box containing items you will need for the first few days in your new home or apartment will greatly simplify your moving process. All your jewelry, valuables, and important paperwork should also be packed in the essentials box and carried with you. If you have not done so, you may very well have to run around unpacking a dozen different cardboard boxes just to find toilet paper, plates, glasses, kitchen utensils, and towels to get you through the first night. Trust me when I say that this is not something you want to look forward to, especially after a particularly difficult day of hauling heavy boxes and driving hundreds of miles. Nope!

Kurt Jacobson is a snowboarding enthusiast with a background in real estate. Having moved 11 times in the past nine years, he thrives on helping others learn from his experiences. When he’s not out shredding the mountain, he writes about all things rental related for the website RentFinder.co.

Another successful Movers for Moms® has officially wrapped!

Written by Lindsay Dow

Movers For Moms efforts in Jackson, MS — A 2nd grade class at Ann Smith Elementary in Jackson, Miss., helped support moms in need through Movers for Moms®!

Just nine years ago, the Movers for Moms® campaign was born. The annual program, which began with the Michigan TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® locations who wanted to support local moms in need around the time of Mother’s Day, involves working with local businesses, schools, and organizations to collect essential care items for moms living in domestic abuse or homeless shelters. Today, our more than 300 locations across the country participate in the program and support local moms in their community.

The program has grown exponentially over the years and we’re proud to say we’ve collected more than 800,000 items for moms the past nine years. This year alone, our fantastic franchises collected more than 285,000 items for delivery to local shelters!

“Movers for Moms was extremely instrumental in providing a wonderful and meaningful Mother’s Day for the Shelter’s participants,” said Volunteer and Resource Coordinator Rebecca Grabau at The Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Naples, Fla. “Without community support like this, the Shelter would not be able to provide our life changing programs and services, and we certainly would not be able to create such a special day for all of our survivors.”

Movers for Moms® success is built on the generosity of local communities coming together to support at-risk moms. A BIG thank you to everyone who has generously donated to the cause, or the local community partners that acted as drop off locations for donations. Without the support of our communities around the country, we wouldn’t be where we are today in helping moms who need it most around the time they should feel most special- Mother’s Day!

We’re proud to live out our core value of giving back to the community, not just when running our annual Movers for Moms® program, but all year long.

To stay updated on all Movers for Moms® happenings, like us on Facebook! TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward!

We have a Dapper Dad in the building – CEO Jeff Wesley!

Written by Jessy Howe

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® CEO Jeff Wesley is participating in the 7^th annual Dapper Dads Challenge and Fashion Show hosted by the Sparrow Foundation’s Women Working Wonders (W3). He is among the roster of Michigan business and community leaders competing to support women’s health through the fundraiser.

These dads campaign to receive $5 votes that benefit W3 who strive to support the physical and psychological health of women throughout mid-Michigan. In addition to taking part in a runway fashion show in downtown Lansing, Mich., the top 13 contestants are featured in the Dapper Dads calendar.

Previous TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Dapper Dads include Executive Chairman Brig Sorber and President Randy Shacka, who claimed 13^th place in 2015.

“Randy is pretty dapper, and so was Brig!” said Wesley. “It would be great to stay in the top 13 but at the end of the day, I hope Dapper Dads raises more money for a good cause. If that happens and I can contribute, that is a good day.”

The opportunity to give back to the community and help those in need is a core value TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® holds near to our hearts.

“I am most excited to help Sparrow. As a hospital it is so important to so many people to continue to expand in scope and capabilities. Many people, families, and this community depend on the support. Dapper Dads allows me the chance to give back on behalf of myself and TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®,” said Wesley. “Plus it may be a little fun!”

Having admitted to never being in a runway show before, he joked it never quite made it on his bucket list but is sure it will be an unforgettable experience.

Jeff’s not the only one making playful jokes, his two daughters, Erin and Emily, are getting in on the fun, too! They have been sharing first-hand why they think he is a Dapper Dad with reasons ranging from his great taste in wine to playing in the snow. The girls have also shared heartwarming stories such as how he always puts his family first, has taught them how to cook, and that he has a good heart.

CEO Jeff Wesley with his daughters
“I love my daughters, they are two of the biggest blessings I have in my life. To walk, laugh, cry, and celebrate life’s journey with them is one of the things that I have to celebrate and thank God for every day,” said Wesley. “I am so blessed for who they are. I will take every minute of goodness I can get with them.”

CEO Jeff Wesley family photo

You can support Jeff in the Dapper Dads Challenge by voting for him until Wednesday, June 8! Attend the fashion show to watch him work the runway at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 9 at Kositcheck’s in downtown Lansing, Mich.

To learn more about the Dapper Dads fundraiser, please visit the Sparrow Foundation.