Minimizer supports many charitable causes both locally and nationally. It does so because their customer base is over-the-road and across the country. The company feels it's important to support causes beyond its hometown boundaries.
However some causes, such as neurological disorders like Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis, are especially close to home for chief visionary officer Craig Kruckeberg. So, when long time friend of Minimizer and adaptive athlete, Kevin Burkart, needed help raising money for Parkinson's Disease, Kruckeberg leapt at the chance to assist. This was not the company's first time helping, either.
Burkart's campaign for raising funds and awareness for Parkinson's disease is wrapped around his completing as many skydives as possible in 24 hours. In 2008 Kevin completed 100 skydives in one day and raised $48,000 for the cause. In 2010 he completed 150 skydives in one day, raising another $78,000.
In 2012 he was slated to attempt 300 skydives in one day, but shortly before the event he permanently lost the use of his left arm from a snowmobile accident. Burkart returned to the skies in 2013 with one arm and was still committed to making a difference for Parkinson's disease.
On June 19, 2013 Kevin broke the record with 151 one-armed skydives by jumping every four minutes for nearly 17 hours. Minimizer donated $25,050 of the $135,000 total raised at this year's event. The company was a premier sponsor for $10,000. It also donated $50 for each of Burkart's jumps and a bonus of $2,500 for every 50 jumps he completed.
This year's effort, originally named "The 300 Perfect Jumps for Parkinson's Disease", was renamed Imperfect Jumps for Parkinson's Disease. Because of the increased danger of jumping with only one arm, Burkart did not want a specific number of jumps attached to the event.
Kruckeberg said, "Burkart's tenacity, despite a life changing accident, to enhance the lives of people like his father who suffer from Parkinson's, strongly reflects Minimizer's core values as a family owned company and manufacturer of tough trucking parts for tough people."
Kruckeberg went on to say, "A good friend of mine was recently diagnosed with MS, which is in the same family as Parkinson's. The lives of the people living with these types of neurodegenerative diseases need to be enhanced and protected. That's what Minimizer aims to do everyday with our products, enhance and protect. And that's what we aim to do everyday for our families, friends, and customers."
Parkinson's Disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease and effects 1 in 100 people over the age of 60. It's also more prevalent throughout the Midwest, the farm belt, because of the demographic and work being done here. This is home to a significant concentration of Minimizer's customers because the Company is based in the heartland.
"I can't thank Minimizer enough for their vision, generosity and willingness to assist with a cause like this," Burkart said, "Many people will benefit from the event both inside and outside of the trucking industry. It's good to give and we made a difference." Proceeds go to patient care and comfort as well as research for a cure to Parkinson's.
Leveraging over 27 years of manufacturing expertise at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, Minimizer delivers fenders, floor mats and accessories that will enhance the performance of all makes and models of over the road trucks, construction vehicles, or agriculture equipment.
Enhance and protect your vehicle with Minimizer products. The toughness is unmatched as seen on this Minimizer promotional video entitled "Proving Grounds."
