Anonymous donor pays it forward
Meghan McClain was selected as the alternate for a Mary Johnston Scholarship by OOIDA earlier this year.
But, thanks to an OOIDA life member, she will receive some financial assistance after all.
Moved after learning about Meghan’s appreciation for truck drivers from LandLine.Media, an anonymous donor gifted $2,000 to assist with her college expenses.
“It was a little disappointing (that I didn’t win the scholarship money), but I was surprised I even made it that far,” Meghan told Land Line Now. “This gives me opportunities and it’s less of a burden on me and my family. It’s that much less that I have to worry about, like how I’m actually going to pay for college.”
The letter Meghan wrote, a thank you to her father, OOIDA member Calvin McClain of Lake Lillian, Minn., read:
I am proud to say my father’s a truck driver. Every time I go to work with him, I learn something new. Truck drivers are important. Many people didn’t realize how important they were until the COVID-19 pandemic hit and everything shut down. The public finally realized that truckers are essential in our everyday lives.”
Through an email to the OOIDA Foundation, the anonymous donor cited Meghan’s words as the reason he decided to send the donation.
“Your essay is the very reason I decided to send the donation, it was very moving,” the donor’s email read. “I could tell your father is your hero. Trucking has been very good to me and taught me that hard work does pay off. You are going to be very busy chasing a degree in graphic design and not one, but two minors. You’re learning the value of hard work. I am pleased you accepted my donation to help with your college and wish you the best in your endeavors.
Meghan was scheduled to move to Marshall, Minn., in late August to start her education at Southwest Minnesota State University.
Nearly $400,000 has been contributed to the dependents of OOIDA members for higher education since the OOIDA Mary Johnston Scholarship program was established in 1998.
As part of the program, one $2,000 scholarship and four $1,000 scholarships are awarded each year and can be renewed for a total of four years. An alternate is also selected. All winners are chosen through a blind evaluation conducted by OOIDA’s Scholarship Advisory Committee. LL