10-4 Magazine / July 2025 35 They bought their current building in 2015 and spent a year remodeling it before moving into it in 2016. In 2019 the beautiful retail store was opened, complete with a parking lot that is easy to get in and out of with a big truck and trailer. I was really impressed with how everything is laid out and it is easy to find what you are looking for. The “chrome throne” when you walk in the door is super cool! Constructed from a bunch of Dynaflex pipes, the “throne” is a real photo opportunity for truckers and kids. Joel is the third generation of the Raney family to have a thriving business in the trucking industry in Ocala. I was also happy to learn that George (Joel’s grandfather) is here to see all this grow. He and Mark (Joel’s father) can sit back now and watch Joel excel at what he is doing and the way he’s doing it. Having a truck show was talked about for years, but it wasn’t until 2024, when Amy Rossetti came to Joel wanting to partner with Raney’s, that it became time to make it a reality. She brought motivation and purpose to the table. Planning a show is a huge undertaking, and it takes a big group of dedicated people to make a successful event. Amy works at the Marion Technical College in the CDL program in Ocala, and she had connections to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which is how they became the beneficiary of this charity show. Names for the show were talked about, and in the end, the winner was Road to Wishes, which tied together what we do and what the show was to be about. Their goal was to raise $80,000 for Make-A-Wish, which would translate into about eight wishes granted. A pretty lofty goal for a first- time event. All the departments at Raney’s came together and the end result of their labor of love was a very successful show for both the drivers and the kids! There was a dinner the night before the show to recognize all the sponsors and the vendors, letting them know how much they were appreciated, for helping make the show possible. Gabriella, one of the “Wish” kids, spoke about her personal wish experience at the dinner. The kid’s activities at the show included bouncy houses, face painting, ballon artists, and a caterpillar train around the parking lot, which was a real hit. The drivers were great with the kids, too, truly making it a day to remember for them. Sara Desmartin is Director of the Central and Northern FL Make-A-Wish and she had some of the “Wish” kids at the show. One was a little boy named Jampier, and the driver of the “Danger” truck, built by A&A Stainless, was very surprised at how much he knew about the truck. Jampier was really excited when the driver, Daniel, let him get in the truck! “Danger” took home the Kid’s Choice Award, as well as Best Interior. Another thing I’ve said for years is, “There is nothing like little kids and big trucks” – and this charity event was a real testimony to that statement (the smiles on the kid’s faces when they sit in the driver’s seat of a big truck and hold that wheel will melt your heart). Sara was totally blown away with all she learned about trucks and the drivers, and she has the desire to keep learning. In the morning, after a light drizzle of rain stopped, she was surprised to see the drivers out there wiping off their trucks so they would be perfect for the kids – everyone was so nice, and all that they were doing for the kids was amazing. No one in that area has ever come close to what Raney’s did at this show for Make-A-Wish, and they have formed a beautiful partnership. All the money raised will go directly to the wishes of kids in their local area. The goal of this event was also to make the drivers feel like the kings and queens that they are. A private lounge was set up for the drivers to come in and cool off, stocked with food and drinks, for them to enjoy the entire show. Also, there was a great selection of food trucks outside, including one that was all about desserts! In addition to that, there were several vendors with all kinds of truck stuff, with booths set up, completing the entire truck show experience.
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