Truckers for Troops ramps up efforts on Election Day

On the day where U.S. citizens are able to exercise the cornerstone right in our democracy, the OOIDA Truckers for Troops campaign took pause to thank those who fight to protect our rights and freedoms.

Land Line Now’s Mary McKenna leads the charge in Tuesday night’s broadcast of the show in thanking troops for their continued defense of rights we hold so dear – like voting. She challenges listeners to not only honor our service men and women through participation in the Truckers for Troops campaign, but to get out and exercise their right to vote.

The annual campaign, which runs through Nov. 9, generates funds in order to send care packages to service personnel in combat zones. Truckers for Troops also helps a variety of veterans’ facilities in the United States, including those that assist or provide housing for wounded, disabled or homeless service members.

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. Ten percent of the amount paid during the campaign week will go toward the Truckers for Troops fund, and OOIDA will then match those funds. A radio broadcast is planned for each day of that week on OOIDA’s Land Line Now satellite radio show on Sirius XM 146. The show airs at 6 p.m. Central and is available via podcast the following day at 5 a.m. Central.

Every year the campaign gets a running head start with a $2,000 donation from Shell Rotella. And, speaking of Shell Rotella, longtime SuperRigs competitor Jerry Kissinger jumped on the challenge bandwagon. On Monday he called in and donated $100 and challenged all of his fellow SuperRigs competitors and those featured on the annual SuperRigs calendar to match his donation.

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.

To be a part of it, 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. CST.

You also can visit Jon Osburn at the Spirit of the American Trucker during the campaign and sign up or renew your membership.

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.

The Association also is seeking the names of individuals who are serving in combat zones with the U.S. military to receive packages, or 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.