Truckers For Troops continues its support of veterans

Now entering its 19th year, OOIDA’s Truckers For Troops campaign is continuing its mission of supporting veterans and veterans organizations.

Since 2007, the annual campaign – which takes place each November beginning on Veterans Day – has raised over $800,000 to support veterans as well as to send care packages to active-duty military stationed abroad.

Following the success of the fall campaign, in 2024 OOIDA launched a spring campaign called Mission: Military Appreciation. This year’s event took place May 12-19, with over 900 members participating, raising roughly $7,300 for Truckers For Troops.

A year-round effort

Of course, Truckers For Troops is more than the two annual events – it is a year-round effort to make the most of the money raised.

At OOIDA’s headquarters in Grain Valley, Mo., the Truckers For Troops committee meets regularly to discuss where those funds can do the most good, as well as to plan for upcoming campaigns.

One of the ideas the committee landed on was distributing backpacks filled with supplies to the Veterans Community Project – a Kansas City, Mo.-based group working to combat veteran homelessness among veterans. In choosing the contents of the backpacks, the committee used feedback from VCP to determine what veterans need.

Truckers For Troops has delivered backpacks to VCP Villages in both St. Louis and Sioux Falls, S.D., in the past year – bringing along a check for $10,000 at both stops.

As of press time, the group was preparing to deliver 250 backpacks – 125 with “back to work” supplies and the other 125 with winter supplies – to the Veterans Community Project in Longmont, Colo., along with a check for $10,000.

The committee also has begun raising funds for the cause through a Truckers For Troops Big Rig T-Shirt. Available year-round, the shirt is free with a $30 donation to Truckers For Troops – with 100% of the proceeds going to the Truckers For Troops fund.

OOIDA members make a difference

Truckers For Troops’ next campaign is right around the corner. This year’s event will be held Nov. 10 through Nov. 16.

During the campaign, truckers can join OOIDA or renew their membership at a discounted rate of $35, with 10% of the proceeds going to Truckers For Troops. The Association then matches that 10% dollar-for-dollar.

Norita Taylor, the Association’s community relations liaison, said that veterans organizations hold a special place in the hearts of OOIDA members.

“We know there are many unmet needs of veterans, which certainly vary from those serving in the military. But one thing is always constant, and that is the need for support,” Taylor said. “Our members are the perfect supporters, because so many of them have either served themselves or, like most everyone, know someone serving right now.” LL