The first time Kathi Holst lost an employee in a work zone incident was decades ago but she vividly remembers the heartache and overwhelming desire to closet herself off from the world. Instead, she had to keep going and deal with the myriad issues that arise from such a tragedy.

Doug Dolinar is still reeling from the death of an employee just six months ago.

Those experiences motivated Holst, president & CEO of RCMS in Naperville, Ill., and Dolinar, president of Guidemark Inc. of Souderton, Pa., to take part in ATSSA’s Roadway Worker Protection Summit scheduled for Feb. 8 as the kickoff event for the Association’s 51st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo.

ATSSA members’ support of The ATSS Foundation has helped it through a challenging year. “Giving Tuesday” is tomorrow and offers another opportunity to help the nonprofit Foundation finish strong.

The Foundation’s goal in this one-day effort is $5,000 and every bit helps.

This global day of giving offers a great way to support the work The Foundation does all year.

For anyone challenged to provide their children with meaningful activity amid pandemic concerns, The ATSS Foundation has a great option.

It’s offering a 32-page child’s guide for staying safe in roadway construction zones. The activity book is geared for ages 5-8 and includes 26 safety tips – one for each letter of the alphabet.

It offers a fun way to learn the ABCs of work zone safety with lessons like, “B is for Be prepared to STOP.”

The last time Cody Garner saw his father was when he dropped him at football practice. Hours later, his father was killed in a work zone accident.

Cody was just beginning his sophomore year of high school when he lost his father. Today he’s starting his senior year at the University of Arkansas where he is pursuing a double major and a double minor. He’s grateful to the American Traffic Safety Services Foundation for the Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship he has received each year of his college studies.

Though this year’s pandemic has challenged people in countless ways, The Foundation still needs help to carry out the programs it offers to support individuals and families impacted by work zone incidents.

ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetchner will appear on the “Down with the Dig” podcast starting Tuesday. During the podcast, he talks to the hosts about work zone safety.

Down with the Dig hosts discuss safety, technology and legislation issues related to the Ohio Valley Region with their guests. The podcasts are produced by the Ohio Laborers-Employers Cooperation Education Trust.