Time’s running out to participate in Truckers for Troops 2019

The 2019 Truckers for Troops campaign is almost over.

OOIDA’s fundraiser to support U.S. military service members at home and abroad kicked off on Veterans Day and runs through Friday, Nov. 15. The Association will continue to extend discounted memberships up to the start of business on Monday, Nov. 18.

During the campaign period, new and renewal memberships are discounted to the special price of $35 per year – a savings of $10 off the regular price. Members may renew for as many years as they want. No matter how many years, 10% of the amount paid during the campaign week will go toward the Truckers for Troops fund. On top of that, OOIDA will match those funds.

You can listen to the telethon on Land Line Now on Sirius XM 146. Land Line Now’s broadcasts also are available by web and through the smartphone app Bullhorn.

To be a part of the Truckers for Troops salute to our military campaign, just call OOIDA’s main number, 800-444-5791 during business hours. Let operators know you’re calling about Truckers for Troops, and they will transfer you to membership.

Phones will be answered live, and the switchboards will stay open later than usual, so you can call until 7:30 p.m. Central.

Contributions also can be made through the OOIDA website.

Individual tax-deductible contributions to the Truckers for Troops fund are also welcome and can be paid to the OOIDA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

Pet Challenge

Participation in the campaign isn’t limited just to truckers. Pets are welcome to join in also. The Pet Challenge allows a member to sponsor the entire cost of a care package – $225 – in the name of their favorite pet or traveling companion.

Jon Osburn, skipper of OOIDA’s Spirit of the American Trucker touring truck, submitted a pledge on behalf of Sassi, his canine co-pilot. Lewie Pugh, OOIDA’s executive vice president, sponsored two packages on behalf of his dog, Bandit.

Bandit is not gonna kick back and let Sassi have ALL the attention, @JonOsburn3.

He donated two boxes to #TruckersForTroops.

We challenge all the other truckin’ pets! 816-229-5791https://t.co/1uOXZ98z24#Trucking #Veterans #Military #CarePackages @OOIDA @Land_Line_Now ❤️?? pic.twitter.com/ho0utgvbkw

— Lewie Pugh (@Lewie_Pugh) November 14, 2019

Branch challenge

There is an unofficial “branch challenge” that began during the radio telethon several years ago.

During the Truckers for Troops campaign, veterans and supporters of the five armed services have competed over the years to see which branch called in the most to salute and donate to their fellow troops. Truckers who called in to participate also “cast a vote” on behalf of the branch of choice.

A testament to the generosity of members

Truckers for Troops has been a success from the start. The first campaign started with a modest goal of raising $5,000. However, generous truck drivers opened their wallets and raised more than eight times the original goal, with a total of $42,083.

The success shouldn’t be a surprise because veterans are a huge part of the trucking industry. More than one-third of OOIDA members have served in the military.

Since 2007, OOIDA members have generated more than a half a million dollars to send packages to our country’s troops overseas and veterans’ facilities in the United States.

Names of those serving in combat zones

The Association also wants the names of individuals serving in combat zones with the U.S. military to receive packages. OOIDA also wants to hear requests from veteran facilities with unmet needs. Those requests can be sent to Troops@OOIDA.com. Be sure to include an address and a projected stateside return date for individuals.

In addition, the Association seeks handmade cards or letters for inclusion in care packages. If you would like to include a card or letter in the package, please send it to OOIDA, 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.

Day 1 Land Line Now Truckers for Troops podcast

Day 1 of the 2019 OOIDA Truckers for Troops Telethon to support troops and veterans gets underway with the story of Christian Guffreau, who explains what a care package means to him and other Marines who are far from home.

Keeping veterans’ programs going

A Massachusetts VA official says without donations like the one from Truckers for Troops, programs would be cut or canceled.

A sound you don’t expect in a vet’s program – FORE!

A program in Arizona uses golf to help veterans who are injured, both mentally and physically.

Day 2 Land Line Now Truckers for Troops podcast

Tiny houses solving a big problem

Tiny houses are helping veterans who might otherwise be homeless, including access to needed services. It’s the Veterans Community Project, and it’s moving from one city to nationwide. (14 minutes)

Support for those who have none

Some veterans have little to any money, no family support and only the VA to rely on. Donations fill a gap for those veterans at Pennsylvania’s Hollidaysburg Veterans Home. (14 1/2 minutes)

And you don’t even need to stay in the lines

Returning veterans need all kinds of help dealing with wounds physical and mental – and even something as simple as a coloring book can help. (9 1/2 minutes)

Day 3 Land Line Now Truckers for Troops podcast

A truck pays tribute to our military

Two OOIDA members re-imagined the paint job on two of their company’s trucks with breathtaking murals intended to honor our nation’s military forces.

Memories from a final chapter

In 1975, Saigon fell, signaling the defeat of South Vietnam and the end of that conflict. We’ll bring you a first-hand account from the day it happened from Jon Osburn, who drives OOIDA’s tour truck, the Spirit of the American Trucker.

Honoring a friend by hauling the wall

A trucker honors a dedicated driver and veteran by hauling the mobile version of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall.

Day 4 Land Line Now Truckers for Troops podcast

Support is the biggest gift of all

Sometimes, it’s the smallest and most simple part of a care package that get troops who receive them the most excited. But it means the most.

It’s just plane the right thing to do

When a group of veterans wanted to move a Vietnam War-era bomber from its resting place in Montana to a new home at a veterans’ memorial park, one trucker stepped in.

Don’t sweat the simple things – even if they’re sweats

You may not thing simple things like sweat pants or warm socks mean much, but they do if those are not things you have. Truckers for Troops stepped in to fill the gap.