our year in review
This year, American Traffic Safety Services Foundation furthered its dedication to raising awareness about roadway safety, as well as supporting the loved ones of roadway workers that were killed or injured in a work zone through charitable giving programs. This snapshot illustrates some of the ways that our Foundation, and its supporters, donors, sponsors and volunteers positively impacted education about roadway safety and helped individuals and families affected by work zone incidents.
2024 impact by the numbers
Encouraging Learning Opportunities and Professional Growth
This year, the ATSS Foundation helped 12 students pursue their career dreams despite family tragedy, thanks to help from the Foundation’s Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship program. Among the students was Leah McCance who garnered the spotlight in February by playing the national anthem on her trumpet at the official kickoff of ATSSA’s 54th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo in San Diego and shared her story.
Paying Tribute to the Lives Lost in Roadway Work Zones
The National Work Zone Memorial recognizes the ultimate sacrifice of the people working to keep our roads safe and the many others killed in work zones. Seventeen names were added to the Memorial in 2024, recognizing roadway workers ranging in age from 22-year-old Michael Patrick Martindale of Filer, Idaho, to 69-year-old Winfred Terrell Petty of Hensley, Ark. The Memorial is more than a tribute; it is a critical awareness tool to help make roadway worker fatalities “real” to policymakers and the public. The 1,650 names listed on the Memorial are just a fraction of the lives lost in work zones.
Educating the Next Generation of Drivers
The National Work Zone Safe Teen Driver Course is a free, 50-minute online class, promoting safe driving habits among the nation’s youngest and least experienced drivers. The course was completed more than 5,500 times in 2024 with $500 scholarships offered to 10 recipients.
In August 2024, the Foundation received the Power of Associations Silver Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for the Work Zone Safety Educational Activity Book, recognizing the value and success of the youth activity book in reaching a core audience of future drivers with its critical education. This year, more than 81,000 children ages 5-8 were reached with information on how to stay safe in roadway work zones.
Raising Funds to Increase Awareness About Roadway Safety
The ATSS Foundation coordinates annual events to raise funds for programs and to increase awareness about roadway safety. Sponsorships and participant fees are critical resources that support Foundation programs and initiatives. This year, the Foundation held its 32nd Annual Golf Classic Tournament and a Sporting Clays Event luncheon, due to inclement weather, in conjunction with ATSSA's 54th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo. The two fundraisers hosted more than 270 participants, 92 sponsors, and 29 volunteers.
Additionally, the Foundation held its signature Midyear event, organized a Fun Run, and set a donation record for the third straight year for its Giving Tuesday campaign.
thank you
The ATSS Foundation extends its appreciation to the donors, partners and supporters who made our work possible in 2024. Your generosity and commitment to roadway safety made a meaningful difference in the lives of many.