Community Commitment

Lester R Summers, Inc. has been located in the Ephrata area since the business started in 1946.  Many of the family members live in the Ephrata Area. The Company and the owners are well respected and known for their philanthropy. Summers Trucking is a valuable local employer and the owners strongly believe in giving back to organizations that make Ephrata a great place to live and conduct business.

 

In the past, the company and its employees have held food drives for the Ephrata Area Social Services, as well as blood drives for the Central Pennsylvania Blood bank. Summers Trucking is a regular supporter of the Ephrata Community Hospital, Ephrata Area Rehabilitation Services, local fire departments, schools, and many other service organizations, and they remain very dedicated to the spotlighted organizations below, which are near and dear to them.

Ephrata Rec Center

Ephrata Rec Center

 

Over the years, the company and its owners have provided leadership assistance, sponsored fundraising events and financial support to this very important community program. J. Harold Summers and Rebecca Summers have served on the Board of Directors. Lester R. Summers, Inc., along with the owners, remains huge supporters of the Ephrata Recreation Center and continues to rally for its success.

 

The Ephrata Recreation Center was founded in 1951, as a not-for-profit corporation to provide recreational services at a reasonable cost. For the first 27 years the Center occupied an old Amory on Cloister Avenue, and in 1978 it moved to its present location.

 

The funds to construct the Center were provided through contributions from generous citizens, businesses, and charitable foundations throughout the Ephrata area. The Ephrata Recreation Center is now a 65,000 square foot facility. It is governed by a Board of Directors and employs a professional staff that offers over 100 guaranteed programs, for every age, gender, and interest group serving 11,000 plus participants.

Make-A-Wish

Summers Trucking is a proud supporter of the Make-A-Wish® Philadelphia, Northern Delaware & Susquehanna Valley chapter.

 

In 1990, a young man named Matt requested a wish to ride in an 18 wheeler and speak to his sister on a CB radio. Over forty trucks and drivers showed up to grant the wish and the Mother’s Day Truck Convoy was conceived. For the past 26 years, the event has been held on Mother’s Day in Lancaster, PA. Over the years the number of trucks has grown to almost 400 with over 100 wish children as passengers riding each year. The event draws approximately 5,000 people that come to see the trucks, attend an auction, play games and enjoy delicious local food.  Each year Summers Trucking sponsors multiple drivers with financial donations and the use of company equipment. The drivers spend hours cleaning and polishing their trucks to ready them for this special event. Our drivers rally the community for additional donations and give of their personal time to help make this a successful, fun filled day for the children. You are guaranteed to shed a tear if you have the opportunity to witness this event!

 

In 2003 & 2004 the Convoy set the Guinness World Record for “The World’s Longest Truck Convoy” with 391 trucks participating in the convoy! Participation in every convoy raises money to grant wishes, with millions of dollars raised so far. You can raise money as a driver, event sponsor, or show up the day of the convoy and enjoy the festivities!

DJD Fight on Foundation

Lester R. Summers is a regular donor to the DJD Fight on Foundation. The foundation was formed by the family and friends of Derrick Dull. Derrick was a personal friend who lost his battle with leukemia at the age of 23. Ken Summers and his son, Michael Summers, both serve as foundation board members. The organization, through various fundraisers, provides assistance to adult cancer patients and their families to help them through the financial burdens that arise when battling cancer.

 

The Company provides sponsorship donations for the annual DJD Fight On Annual Golf Tournament, 5K Run and their other fundraising events.

The Children of our Community

 

We are always happy to open our doors to the children of our community, they are a part of our bright future.

We have had the honor of working with The Boy Scouts of America and hosting the 2nd graders of Clay Elementary School.

We have so many knowledgeable and caring staff members on hand to answer questions, demonstrate equipment, and offer a helping hand.

Please contact us if you are interested in touring the company or have questions about planning a visit.

Ephrata Pioneer Fire Company

Lester R. Summers is proud to support the Ephrata Pioneer Fire Company. Station 1-5 has been serving the Ephrata area since 1888.  It is staffed with local volunteers and provides a crucial service to the Ephrata community and surrounding municipalities.

 

Summers Trucking made a large donation to help kickstart the fund drive for the purchase of a new, fully equipped Pierce Enforcer fire engine delivered in 2018.  The new piece of equipment cost in excess of $600,000.

 

A big thank you goes to the volunteers at Station 1-5.

Additional Support to Our Community

In addition to the organizations listed above, Summers Trucking is also a proud to support the following:

4 Our Kids

Alpha Phi Foundation
American Cancer Society
Clay Parent Teacher Organization
Cocalico Football

Cocalico Senior Center
Cocalico Wrestling Booster Club
Downtown Ephrata
East Cocalico Lions Club
East Cocalico Swim Team
Ephrata Area Education Foundation
Ephrata Area Gridiron Club
Ephrata Area Rehab Services Foundation
Ephrata Area School District
Ephrata Area School District Student Scholarship Fund
Ephrata Area Social Services
Ephrata Area Support Services Scholarship Fund
Ephrata Baseball Association
Ephrata Community Ambulance Association
Ephrata Community Health Foundation
Ephrata Football Booster Club
Ephrata Lions Club
Ephrata Mennonite School
Ephrata Public Library
Ephrata Softball Booster Club
Ephrata Youth Wrestling
Good Samaritan Shelter
Governor Mifflin SGA
Gracepoint Church of the Nazarene
Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County
Horizons/Cocalico Senior Association
Hospice & Community Care

Keystone Military Families
KPETS
Lancaster Chapter PMTA
Lancaster County 4-H

Lancaster County Fireman’s Convention
Life and Love Counseling
Lititz American Legion GS Post 56
March of Dimes
Memorial Park Association of Reamstown
Pack 60
Police Athletic League of Philadelphia
Rajah Shrine Circus
Reamstown Church of God

Reamstown Baseball
Reamstown Fire Company
Reinholds Lion Club

Savannah Graybill Skeleton Fund
Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center
Shillington Legion Baseball Association
Smokestown Fire Company
Stevens Fire Company
The Ephrata Farmers Day Association
Vision Corps Foundation
Woman’s Club of Ephrata
Zeke Mumma Fund
Zion Lutheran Church