The holiday season is made possible in many ways by our nation’s hardworking truck drivers, as they transport goods, gifts, decorations and food across the country. Office Tenders is here to help with the hassle of DOT paperwork all year long, but paperwork is not the only challenge facing drivers this season. Long-haul truckers have a long and often lonely holiday season, as their responsibilities keep them away from home and family.
It’s hard to name an industry that comes together in a manner like the trucking industry, both in support of each other and the nation as a whole. Truck drivers, trucking companies, and the whole industry make great efforts to support communities in a number of ways. And, in return, we are pleased that the public has joined together to turn the hand back to our drivers! In the spirit of the season, give your thanks to a trucker!
Wreaths Across America Made Possible by Trucking Industry – December 13th
It is the mission of Wreaths Across America to “remember, honor and teach”, paying tribute to our many soldiers who have served and sacrificed. This homage is given in the form of wreaths, laid upon the headstones in cemeteries around the country. And the trucking industry plays a vital role in this remembrance, transporting the donated wreaths to ready volunteers at each location.
In 2013, 41 tractor trailers carried over 143,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. Following ceremonies and national songs, volunteers unloaded the wreaths and presented them to those who wished to participate in the laying of the wreaths. Veterans in over 900 different cemeteries were such remembered, with total wreaths counting well over 500,000!
Truck drivers donated their time, trucking companies delivered wreaths free of charge, and the industry came together to honor our veterans. To learn more about becoming a Wreaths Across America trucking company volunteer, visit Truckload of Respect. This year’s ceremonies will be carried out on Saturday, December 13th. The 2014 goal is to cover each headstone in Arlington National Cemetery, with a hope for over 750,000 wreaths laid across the United States. What a wonderful example of the trucking industry making a difference!
Trucker Charity Organization Supports Truckers in Need
Trucker Charity Inc. will be brightening the holiday season of truckers down on their luck this year, and has been doing so since the 2008 Christmas season. This non-profit organization collects donations and operates a Trucker Charity Fundraising Store to offer some holiday cheer to truck drivers, trucking industry workers and their families. Donations are collected from November 1st through December 20th and then distributed as cash gifts to deserving truckers.
“We get ‘em safe, we get ‘em food, we get ‘em home” is the motto of this organization, who does whatever it can for the industry throughout the whole year, not just for the holiday season. The group helps by donating food and clothing, and even provides scholarship assistance for those looking to join the trucking industry. Given the importance of our nation’s truck drivers, it’s wonderful that there are those looking to give back!
Meals for 18 Wheels – Bringing a Little Home Feeling to the Holiday Seasons
Meals for 18 Wheels just got started last holiday season, and is already making a big difference for long-haul truck drivers during the holiday season! Crystal Schoonmaker grew up in a trucking family and married a truck driver, and wanted to bring some cheer to those drivers who have to be away from home for the holidays. In starting this homemade meals organization, Crystal saw Meals for 18 Wheels as more than feeding the bellies of truck drivers – it’s about giving that sense of family and ‘home’ to cheer up drivers!
Thanksgiving of 2013, Crystal donated her time to making home-made meals and delivering these to 31 drivers in under 24 hours. By Christmas last year, the idea grew and many volunteers jumped on board. The group successfully delivered over 289 meals to truck drivers on the road, and even passed out a few plates for truck mascots! One truck driver expressed her touched feelings of gratitude for a family that drove 30 miles to bring her a home-cooked meal, and then even sat with her while she ate so she didn’t have to be alone. “It was awesome that somebody would take the time out of their day to do this for truckers”, she said (www.news.truckingunlimited.com/free-meals).
This year, Meals for 18 Wheels has put the last years’ experience to good use and developed a method for connecting drivers with volunteers across the country. Truck drivers who are on the road can fill out a form online to be connected with interested parties in the area, and the time periods around each holiday have been extended to 4 days. People interested in cooking for a long-haul truck driver can find more information by following Meals for 18 Wheels on Facebook.
