On Thursday, July 25, the initiative Truckers For Troops made a substantial contribution of $10,000 to the Veterans Community Project (VCP) located in St. Louis, furthering their mission to assist veterans in need.

Originally established in 2007 by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), Truckers For Troops started as a program designed to send care packages to active military members stationed in combat zones. Over time, its scope has expanded significantly, now providing vital support to various facilities that help wounded, disabled, or homeless veterans.

To date, Truckers For Troops has successfully raised over $800,000 and dispatched more than 3,200 care packages, positively impacting the lives of over 39,000 service members.

During an interview with KTVI-TV in St. Louis, OOIDA’s Director of Public Relations, Norita Taylor, articulated the initiative’s comprehensive mission: “We do have the care package program, but we also wanted to make sure that we include veterans here in the United States and people who have served. We knew there was a need. Our members, who are small-business truckers and truck drivers, some of them are veterans or they, like everyone, have relatives or friends that are veterans. They want to show their support in any way they can.”

In addition to the generous financial donation, the OOIDA Spirit tour truck provided 125 backpacks filled with snacks and hygiene essentials for VCP St. Louis, which will be shared with veterans who are homeless or who are seeking assistance from the project.

As part of Military Appreciation Month in May, Truckers For Troops conducted another fundraising campaign, channeling 100% of the proceeds towards care packages and further support for VCP.

The upcoming annual Truckers For Troops fundraising event is set to take place from November 11-17. “We hope that we can do more, and we’re always looking to do more,” said Taylor.

For those looking to support Truckers For Troops, contributions can be made online. For further inquiries regarding care packages, please email Troops@OOIDA.com.

Source: Land Line

Andre Reynolds of Phoenix, Arizona, and Stephen Miller of Tifton, Georgia, are not just exceptional drivers for Hogan Transports Inc., based in Maryland Heights, Missouri. This year, their heroic actions have earned them the prestigious title of TCA Highway Angels by the Truckload Carriers Association, recognizing their efforts to assist fellow motorists in distress.

Andre Reynolds (Left) and Stephen Miller (right) Source: TCA

Andre Reynolds

On April 15, around 1 p.m., Andre Reynolds was navigating MS27, a two-lane highway near Utica, Mississippi, when a Ford Mustang suddenly swerved into his lane. The car was moving erratically, nearly stopping before careening off the road into a ditch.

“I almost hit him,” Reynolds recalled. “I didn’t see that coming!”

Reynolds quickly stopped to check on the Mustang’s driver and found the man experiencing a seizure.

“He wasn’t coherent at all,” Reynolds noted.

As another passerby stopped to assist, Reynolds instructed them to call 9-1-1. They stayed with the driver until the seizure subsided. The man, still disoriented, attempted to call his father, but Reynolds took over the phone to explain the situation.

“Gradually, he started to recover,” Reynolds recounted.

Once the driver was alert and able to walk, Reynolds continued on his way, embodying the spirit of selflessness.

“I wouldn’t leave someone in need,” he emphasized. “Helping someone doesn’t cost anything.”

Stephen Miller

Stephen Miller earned his accolade by extinguishing a blazing car fire. Just after midnight on February 21, he was traveling south on Interstate 75 in Punta Gorda, Florida, when a car sped past him and soon hit a dip in the road near exit 164.

“The car hit the dip, and I thought it crashed because there was a massive plume of smoke,” Miller explained. “I drove through the smoke, expecting to find a wrecked car.”

Seeing the vehicle stopped with smoke and flames emanating, Miller sprang into action. He halted his truck, grabbed his fire extinguisher, and rushed to the scene, even as other vehicles drove by.

“I jumped out, ran back, and used the fire extinguisher under the car, where the flames were,” Miller said.

When the fire escalated, Miller instructed the driver to pop the hood and continued using the extinguisher. When this did not yield results, Miller resorted to a unique solution—utilizing a 40-pack of bottled water from his truck.

“I put out the fire with the water bottles,” said Miller, who has a decade of trucking experience. He stayed with the driver until emergency services arrived, ensuring no harm came to both the driver and passenger.

“I was taught to help if you can,” Miller underscored. “We need to look out for one another.”

These inspiring stories of Andre Reynolds and Stephen Miller not only highlight their bravery and quick thinking but also serve as powerful examples of the unsung heroes among commercial truck drivers.

Source: The Trucker

The 2nd Annual “Stars, Stripes and White Lines” event returns to the Atlanta Motor Speedway on November 1-2, 2024, proudly supporting Wreaths Across America, an organization dedicated to honoring the nation’s heroes.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, initiated by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at more than 1,600 cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information or to Sponsor a Wreath for 2024, please visit Wreaths Across America.

Hosted by the Bennett Family of Companies in collaboration with Tony Justice, this event aims to be the largest patriotic show in the trucking, showcasing a profound love for America while supporting a noble cause.

Activities throughout the event, including the Wreaths Across America Golf Ball Drop and the Proud Owners of Patriotic BIG Rig Trucks showcase, aim to honor and celebrate our heroes. Patriotic truck owners from across the nation will display their vehicles, showcasing their journeys and contributions to transporting wreaths from Columbia Falls, ME to National Cemeteries across the country. These trucks will share their trips, locations, and the number of wreaths they’ve hauled over the years, adding a unique and meaningful element to the event.

All proceeds from this event will contribute to covering the 20,700 gravesites at Andersonville National Cemetery with wreaths during the Christmas season, alongside supporting military cemeteries across Georgia.

Don’t miss the special moments planned for this year’s event, including an electrifying performance by recording artist Tony Justice. On Saturday evening, Tony will take the stage for a live concert, featuring his signature song, “Stars, Stripes and White Lines”. Additionally, Saturday afternoon will feature a special presentation of the American Flag alongside a flyover of Vietnam Era Huey and Cobra Helicopters, symbolizing unity and honor.

Join the mission to make a difference and celebrate freedom at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on November 1-2, 2024. Let’s come together to honor our heroes and ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten. Click here for more information or to register for the event.

Source: Bennett Events