Truckers for Troops shows generosity of America’s long-haul drivers

(Grain Valley, Mo., Dec. 23, 2013) – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association completed this year’s Truckers for Troops campaign and raised $46,861. This brings the grand total over the past 7 years to more than $400,000.

Truckers for Troops raises money to pack and send care packages to military service personnel stationed in combat zones. The campaign, which ran the week of Dec. 9-13, 2013, has been an OOIDA tradition since 2007 and had a head start this year with a generous donation of $5,000 from Shell Rotella.

“Many thanks go out to our members and other supporters for making this happen.”said Norita Taylor, Media Spokesperson for OOIDA.

The Association is currently seeking addresses for sending packages.

“We have a list, thanks to input from our members,” says Taylor. “But we have room for more addresses. And we have plenty of room for more hand-made cards and letters to include in the packages for those who still wish to contribute by sending those as well.”During Truckers for Troops week, a broadcast is planned for each day on OOIDA’s Land Line Now satellite radio show on Sirius XM 128. During that week, truckers can join OOIDA or renew their membership for $25, with 10 percent of that money going toward care packages for U.S. troops stationed in combat areas overseas. OOIDA matches the 10 percent dollar for dollar.

Anyone who has a family member or friend serving in a war zone with the U.S. military, and who would like for them to get a care package, can send the name and complete address to troops@ooida.com.Taylor says that while socks and snacks top the list of most troops’ care packages, cards and letters from home are what make them truly special. “We are also asking for kids and adults around the country to help with this important part of a yearly tradition by sending us letters and cards to include in the care packages.”

To send cards and letters-Send to: Attention Truckers for Troops, P.O. Box 1000, Grain Valley, MO 64029.-Towns or school names can be included, but please do not include last names or other personal information.-No particular theme for cards is requested. Packages will likely go out after the holidays in January or February.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is the largest national trade association representing the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. The Association currently has more than 150,000 members nationwide. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the Greater Kansas City, Mo., area.