Utah Trucker's Relief Efforts Net Nearly $1 Million in Goods
Donations Were Distributed to Victims of L.A. Wildfires
Key Takeaways:
- The Palisades fire destroyed 6,800 buildings in the coastal Malibu and Pacific Palisades area and killed two people.
- The Eaton Fire obliterated 9,400 buildings and ultimately killed 19 people.
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A regular route that had a trucker pulling an empty trailer into California became a life-changing opportunity to deliver aid to individuals in need after a pair of deadly wildfires ravaged the state.
California native Landon Cheatham recognized the opportunity during one of his 11-hour runs from Los Angeles to Utah, where he works as an operations manager for Salt Lake-based . A dedicated contract had him pulling an empty trailer into the state several times a week. On those empty runs into California, Cheatham got an early look at the devastation and quickly realized he could help.
Cheatham acted quickly, launching via social media what would become a sweeping aid effort to assist survivors. The fires would ultimately burn for 24 days and earn a place in the state’s history books.
Cheatham’s efforts to bring aid to victims have earned him recognition as a 2025 Transport Topics award recipient.
Volunteers were busy loading donated goods for distribution to victims of the Los Angeles-area wildfires. (Landon Cheatham)
In what became known as the Palisades fire, over 23,400 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains burned, destroying 6,800 buildings in the coastal Malibu and Pacific Palisades area and killing two people. It was the state’s third-most destructive wildfire ever. Separately, the Eaton Fire engulfed the San Gabriel Mountain foothills, ravaging 14,000 acres, obliterating 9,400 buildings and ultimately killing 19 people in the area surrounding the Altadena and Pasadena areas. It was the second-worst fire in California’s story.
Evacuees who had escaped the devastation lost everything and were starting over.
Taking Action
Cheatham’s first Facebook post seeking help went out Jan. 7 on his way back to Utah, two days after the Palisades fire broke out.
“Hey guys! I run an empty semi to Los Angeles 2- 3 times a week and we want to help the people there that have been displaced etc.,” he wrote. “Are there any businesses that would like to donate food or water and we can transport them all? We’d love to help out. We have plenty of space so please spread the word for all those that might want to help.”
By the time he got home, what would become a network of like-minded people wanting to lend a hand had set up the first donation drive. And things snowballed quickly; the first donation drive resulted in a full truckload of donated cases of water, hygiene products, diapers, facemasks, pet supplies and nonperishable food.
A forklift came in handy when bulk goods had to be moved. (Landon Cheatham)
Impressed and humbled by the outpouring of support from Utahans, Cheatham on Jan. 17 put out a second call seeking donations after recognizing the need for items such as medical supplies, pet food, toiletry products, cleaning products, soap and more non-perishable food.
“I want to thank everyone who has volunteered, donated, prayed or given words of encouragement to us,” he wrote. “None of this would be possible without you wonderful people. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. We’re truly making a difference to the people of L.A.”
Around 30 businesses and business owners joined the cause organizing community donations. Cheatham’s wife, Mackenzy, and his father, Karl Cheatham, helped coordinate donations.
Cheatham’s volunteerism also was supported by his boss, Alex Dettenmaier, who started Alex D. Delivery 10 years ago. The company provides services such as regional dedicated lanes, final-mile deliveries, warehousing and cross-dock services.
Alex D. Delivery Steps In
“While Landon spearheaded the project, Alex D. Delivery provided the tractor trailer along with covering the majority of the financial costs,” Dettenmaier said. “We did receive some financial donations to help pay for fuel. We were grateful for that and grateful for our community stepping up with donations for the fire victims. Landon organized a few donation drives and we were honored to hold one of those at our warehouse, along with warehousing donations waiting to go out.”
A key beneficiary of the effort was Lifting Hands International, a nonprofit that sends aid to displaced people around the world. Without Cheatham’s efforts, Lifting Hands would have lacked resources to deliver a significant amount of donated aid to wildfire victims.
Some of the donations that were collected for victims of the Los Angeles-area wildfires. (Landon Cheatham)
“Someone connected us with Landon, who generously volunteered to drive the aid to California for free. We were thrilled — his help made it possible for us to send far more relief than we otherwise could have. Without him, we likely would have been able to send only one or two truckloads,” said Traci Parson, Utah operations director at Lifting Hands. Cheatham ultimately hauled seven truckloads of relief to California.
“Because of his efforts, we were able to send shipments of aid every week,” Parson added. “As the needs in California changed frequently, we received updates and were able to quickly send the most-needed items each week. His kindness and determination turned what could have been a small response into a large-scale relief effort that brought comfort and hope to thousands of families.”
Working with Cheatham in Los Angeles was Michelle Manos, executive director of the Community Solidarity Project. Her organization received out-of-state pallets of aid and distributed donations to fire victims. Cheatham was one of the first truckers she met bringing goods to the area.
“Even after his long drives, he was always in a great mood, ready to hop in and help, ready with a joke,” she said. “And he really did all of this for the right reason — because people needed help and he saw a pathway to help those people.”
Landon Cheatham (center) is joined by the cadre of volunteers who were involved in the distribution of goods to victims of the Los Angeles-area wildfires. (Landon Cheatham)
Their collaboration continued in the months after the fire outbreaks, as Landon arrived on a weekly or biweekly basis.
“What Landon did helped move L.A. forward as we began to grapple with the severity of the damage,” Manos said. “He created an opportunity so that people who didn’t know what to do or how to help suddenly had a way to help. It gave our organization a way to respond, it gave the community members ways to volunteer with purpose. It ultimately created a need to better organize the abundance he was bringing, which led to us opening our free store — the Really, Really Free 99 — which is still in operation today.”
Cheatham ultimately delivered 83,300 items valued at nearly $1 million to families recovering from the fires.
Giving Back
Cheatham’s efforts allowed him to give back via an industry that offered him a way forward after a personal struggle of his own. The aftereffects of a severely broken arm at 23 left him unable to continue working in an autobody shop. Alex D. hired him in 2018, first on the medium-duty side of the business. He earned a commercial driver license in 2021.
“I had to find something to pay the bills,” Cheatham said. “My buddy got hired as a driver/mechanic and I started at the company with a box truck.” As his arm strength returned, he could do more. Now he serves as the company’s operations managers and also gets behind the wheel of a semi when needed.
Cheatham remains humble about his efforts to help wildfire victims.
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“I hope I made a positive impact,” he said. “I was surprised by the generosity of the people in Utah. Everyone was asking what could they do. No one cared about price or gave a thought of what they would gain.”
Dettenmaier, who grew up the Los Angeles area, has seen firsthand the damage wildfires can do.
“We are proud we were able to serve the community of Los Angeles and proud of the big heart our Landon Cheatham has,” he said.
Parson added, “Landon’s example shows that when you see a need in your community and feel passionate about helping, your actions — no matter how small they may seem — can ripple outward and change lives. He is truly a hero trucker and a remarkable role model. He used his skills and resources to serve others in an extraordinary way, inspiring countless people to step up and help, too.”
Manos emphasized, “When disaster strikes, or injustice occurs, everyone is needed. Never think your skills aren’t a fit. Never think you’re too far or too disconnected. We’re all connected. Truckers move the world, and we’re all in this together. When you can, help someone.”
Congratulations to Landon Cheatham on being named a 2025 Transport Topics Trucking’s Frontline Hero.
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