With peak shipping season in full swing, it’s easy to get flustered by the hustle and bustle of what is the busiest time of the year for many logistics professionals. And this year there are added concerns, as economic and geopolitical issues weigh heavily on supply chains—all while consumer demand remains strong and orders need to ship quickly and efficiently.
It’s enough to give the savviest logistics pro a headache.
A case in point: In a recent survey, supply chain executives said their procurement teams are under higher than usual pressure in 2025, with many saying they are experiencing the most intense period in the past three years. Tariffs, inflation, supplier volatility, labor shortages, and IT challenges are among the key culprits.
At times like these, it’s important to find calm amid the chaos. I’m not talking about “self-care” or taking a vacation. I’m talking about appreciating the good things that happen in supply chains every day and recognizing that although this is an industry fraught with challenges, it’s also a generous one that takes the idea of “giving back” very seriously. There are myriad industry opportunities to help those in need—an uplifting aspect of a supply chain vocation.
I was reminded of this recently when the nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) made its annual appeal for volunteer truck drivers. WAA is gearing up for Wreaths Across America Day in December, when about 3 million volunteers and supporters will gather for wreath-laying ceremonies in honor of U.S. veterans at sites across the country, at sea, and abroad. Truck drivers play a crucial role in the event as members of WAA’s Honor Fleet—a group that delivers loads of wreaths from the nonprofit’s headquarters in Columbia Falls, Maine, to cemeteries in all 50 states, including Arlington National Cemetery, where WAA’s founders delivered their first load of wreaths more than 30 years ago.
Nearly 400 carriers and 800 professional drivers are expected to help WAA “move the mission” this year, according to a spokesperson for the group. The nonprofit announced the availability of open lanes in mid-September with a call for volunteers. Lanes will be available throughout this month and into November as well. Carriers and drivers can volunteer and learn more by visiting learn.wreathsacrossamerica.org/2025-open-lanes-available. And you don’t have to be a driver to participate; anyone can sponsor a wreath or volunteer to help at a wreath-laying ceremony in their community. Learn more about those opportunities at wreathsacrossamerica.org.
Wreaths Across America Day takes place Dec. 13.
Another bright spot in the supply chain is the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN), which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Formed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina—which devastated the Gulf Coast in the summer of 2005—ALAN brings the logistics community together to support humanitarian organizations when disasters hit. The group helps coordinate donations of transportation, warehouse space, equipment, and expertise to ensure that crucial supplies and support arrive when and where they are needed, quickly and efficiently. From hurricanes to wildfires and everything in between, ALAN has helped hundreds of organizations provide disaster relief to those in need across the country and around the world. To learn more and get involved, visit www.alanaid.org.
WAA and ALAN are just two examples of the many ways in which the logistics industry supports those in need globally, nationally, and locally. Through scholarships, hiring programs for veterans, environmental sustainability efforts, and a host of charitable works for just about every cause under the sun, logistics companies are at the forefront of giving. Just check our monthly Logistics Gives Back column for proof of that.
When you think about it, this makes perfect sense for an industry that, at its core, is about connecting people with the things they need. Every day, logistics companies work to keep the economy humming, making sure that products are delivered when and where they’re needed. At this time of year, when that work is at its height and stress levels soar, it helps to remember the nonprofit side of the equation. And if you can, lend a hand.
