The spirit of giving

The holiday season is typically seen as a joyous time. However, for families struggling to make ends meet, the holidays can be filled with worry and stress. It’s those families that the Truckers Christmas Group aims to assist.

The Truckers Christmas Group is a nonprofit organization that raises funds to help professional CDL drivers and their families over the holiday. They are a group founded by truckers, and run by truckers, with the goal of helping other drivers and their immediate families. Over the past 14 years, the group has raised over $150,000, helping 244 trucking families in the United States and Canada.

Greg Manchester is the vice president of the Truckers Christmas Group and one of the co-founders. Manchester – a Canadian OOIDA member and trucker from Scarborough, Ontario – says that while the volunteer work can be draining, the rewards make it all worth it.

“It’s so hard when you listen to all of these stories that these families are going through. It drains a lot out of you coming into the season,” Manchester said. “But when we make that Santa call – this year it’s Dec. 19 – and we tell the families that they’ve been selected. The reactions from the families – you’ve got a big, burly truck driver pulling over to the shoulder because he’s crying. He can’t see to drive because he appreciates it so much – it makes it all worthwhile and it kind of becomes addictive.”

The organization, which is still very grassroots, was started by a group of truckers in 2008 after a driver posted the idea on a social media trucking site. While the group has grown to the point of having corporate sponsors supporting the mission, Manchester says they are still an organization maintained by truckers for truckers.

“We’re all truck drivers. We’re all volunteers. We don’t get any remuneration for this,” he said. “We do this from the seats of our trucks, literally.”

The past few years have been tough for those in the industry, which has had an impact on the group’s fundraising efforts. Manchester says that individual drivers are feeling the pinch, and some of their corporate sponsors have scaled back their donations. While the counter on their website lists a fundraising goal of $30,000, the group is happy to exceed that mark.

According to Manchester, the group receives an average of around 40 to 50 nominations for families in need each year. He says they are expecting a high demand for help this holiday season, adding that the need for assistance always outweighs the funds they have available.

To be eligible for assistance from the Truckers Christmas Group, a member of the family must:

• Have been employed as a trucker within the last calendar year and have the intention of getting back into the trucking industry. If off due to a disqualifying medical disability, the individual must have driven in the previous three years.
• Be able to provide proof of employment as a driver, and a current or expired CDL if not currently working.

The need for assistance should not have been brought about by making poor life choices – immoral activity, drugs, gambling, alcohol, etc.

Assistance is only available to families once in a three-year period.

To nominate a family in need, or to make a donation, visit TruckersChristmasGroup.org. Nominations will be accepted until Dec. 17. LL