ABF Delivers More Than Freight for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

ABF Delivers More Than Freight for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

FORT SMITH, Ark., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ABF Freight System, Inc.(R), delivered more than freight when the crew of ABC-TV's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition rebuilt the Alma, Arkansas, home of Colleen Nick, founder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the families of missing and abducted children. Dozens of ABF(R) volunteers worked with the crew for days on the construction project. The results are captured in a special two-hour episode called "Nick Family," to be broadcast Sunday, August 14th at 7/6c.

ABF is now in its second season of providing expedited shipping service and logistical support for this popular reality series. "All the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition stories are compelling, but this episode hit close to home," says ABF President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Davidson. "The Nick Family lives just minutes away from the ABF Corporate Offices. Everyone in our community is well aware of the tragedy this family has endured. We at ABF are particularly proud to play a role in improving their daily lives and in highlighting Colleen's important work in preventing child abduction and in locating lost children."

Ten years ago, the Nick Family was watching a little league baseball game in Alma. While catching fireflies with her friends, Morgan vanished and has yet to be found. The search continues through the Morgan Nick Foundation, which works with law enforcement officials and parents to prevent abduction. Colleen maintains her hope that Morgan will come home safe. She devotes all of her time and energy to this cause and to her other children, Logan and Taryn, and to helping thousands of others who have missing children nationwide.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is broadcast Sundays on the ABC Television Network. ABF has been providing services for over a year and contributes to virtually every show. "TimeKeeper, our expedited time-definite shipping service, has become a routine solution for Extreme Makeover's unusual transportation needs. They just call and tell us what, where and when. They know ABF will meet their requirements," says Davidson. "Same-day. Next-day. One-hour delivery windows. Thanks to our extensive TimeKeeper capabilities, ABF takes it all in stride."

Established in 1923, ABF is one of North America's oldest and most reputable motor carriers. It continues to be recognized as a benchmark for safety, security, technology and freight-handling standards. The National Safety Council recently commended ABF's performance in transportation safety with a 2005 Safety Award. Last year, the American Trucking Associations awarded ABF the Excellence in Security Award, the 28th time the organization has recognized ABF since 1971. ABF's emphasis on quality and value was cited by Logistics Management magazine, which awarded the carrier a 2004 Quest for Quality Award. In addition, ABF was twice recognized by CIO magazine for innovative excellence in information technology, earning the 2005 CIO Enterprise Value Award and a spot on the 2004 CIO Top 100 Agile Companies list.

ABF operates an extensive network of customer service centers and distribution facilities strategically located throughout North America. Through this network, ABF provides comprehensive shipping services to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Guam and Puerto Rico. Globally, the carrier serves 250 ports in more than 130 countries. ABF is certified as an Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) carrier by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as a Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) carrier to and from Canada. Via its TimeKeeper(R) service, ABF provides guaranteed expedited service for time- critical and time-definite shipments.

ABF is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation (NASDAQ:ABFS).

Contact: Mr. Danny Loe, director of marketing & public relations
Telephone: (479) 785-8803

Source: ABF Freight System, Inc.

CONTACT: Danny Loe, director of marketing & public relations of ABF
Freight System, Inc., +1-479-785-8803

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