In an attempt to maintain its status in the book, “Guinness World Records,” law enforcement officers and truckers throughout the United States and Canada will join forces for the World’s Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics on Sept. 16, 2006.

Stretches of highway throughout North America will be lined with an expected 4,000 trucks as the truckers convoy to show their support of the athletes of Special Olympics.

However, several states have scheduled their convoys on dates other than Sept. 16. (See chart below.)

The convoy was conceived in 2001 by Cpl. Norm Schneiderhan, special project coordinator for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Schneiderhan, who drove a truck for about three years for his father’s trucking company before he entered the field of law enforcement, launched the event for Special Olympics as a way to call attention to the organization among truckers.

“Special Olympics has a way of bringing everyone together, setting aside differences and building atmospheres of acceptance,” Schneiderhan said.

“The fact that Special Olympics can bring together law enforcement and truckers is a testament to how the athletes of Special Olympics are a true inspiration.”

This year’s convoy is expected to unite more than 4,000 truckers in 34 states and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Ontario. The goal is to raise $600,000. In 2005, the event attracted nearly 1,800 truckers and raised $439,309. Money raised in an individual state supports Special Olympics in that state.

Truckers who want to participate in this year’s event can visit the convoy’s Web site at worldslargesttruckconvoy.com for more information and a registration packet for the event in their state. The minimum donation to participate in the Special Olympics convoy is $100 per truck.