Driver Lifestyles

Trucker Buddy: Making a difference

Do you agree that kids are the future? Wouldn't it be nice if all those future motorists understood a few things about trucks? Wouldn't it be great if they knew how hard it is to stop, or turn, a tall, wide, top-heavy truck?  Do you enjoy interacting with children?

If you answered yes to the above questions, you should become a Trucker Buddy.  Through its closely-monitored Pen Pal program, this non-profit 501(c)(3) organization develops a relationship between professional truck drivers and children in grades 2-8.  It allows children the opportunity to explore the America that most Americans never see.

Trucker Buddy matches classes of students with professional truck drivers. Every week, these drivers share news about their travels with their assigned classes, and provide a format for the enhancement of the grade school curriculum in reading, writing, geography, mathematics, social studies, and history.

Ellen Voie, Executive Director of Trucker Buddy International says, "Teachers adore the program because it makes school subjects come alive. The kids track the movements of their Trucker Buddy, discuss the places he or she visits, the loads hauled, and even personal facts. Many kids regard their Trucker Buddy as a true mentor, not just a pen-pal."

From a Teacher - Becca
"My students were able to really familiarize themselves with the states because of all the postcards we received. They became proficient with letter writing and it brought meaning to their lessons. Thank you for sending such an exceptional Trucker Buddy."

The beginnings
In November, 1992, a professional truck driver, Gary King, contacted a grade school in Williams Bay, WI and asked the principal for permission to write to a class of students as "pen-pals."

One fourth grade teacher quickly agreed, and King began writing postcards and short letters every week. The students eagerly wrote back and asked him questions about driving and the sights he saw.

The teacher quickly recognized the value of the letters in stimulating the children's interest in reading, writing and other subjects, and integrated them into her teaching routine.

When other drivers saw King writing his postcards and letters at the many truckstops he visited across the country, they, too, became interested in the program and wanted their own pen-pals.

The Trucker Buddy program became incorporated on July 1, 1993. Within the first year of operation, Trucker Buddy grew to almost 1,000 driver-teacher matches.

The second year the program doubled, and doubled again in the third year of operation. By the end of the 1996-97 school year, there were approximately 5,000 driver-teacher matches, with 135,000 plus students participating in the Trucker Buddy program.

From a Driver - John
"This program has given new life to my trucking career. I just want to thank Trucker Buddy for giving new life into a career that I love. "

In 1998, Trucker Buddy launched a new effort to recruit new drivers and expand services, and in 1999, the Board of Directors was expanded to include four active drivers and one teacher.

How it works
A new Trucker Buddy is assigned a class located within his or her geographical base, but usually not in the same town. All communication between driver and student is monitored by the school.

Students are not permitted to divulge home addresses, personal email addresses, or telephone numbers. Drivers' letters are screened for content as well. The reasons for such precautions are obvious.

At the beginning of the school year, the teacher explains the project, and invites the students to write letters to their adult pen pal, their very own Trucker Buddy. Some of the letters contain drawings, some only words. Some are surprisingly articulate, and neat; some are a challenge to decipher.

From a Student - Brett
"Bill was the best Trucker Buddy in the world! He was always in touch with us. He visited us and we went to see his truck. We went inside. I even got to do the air horn! He was fun to be with the whole year."

The teacher may assist the student (most do not), but the words are always the child's own. About once per month, the teacher will address a thick packet of letters to the driver.

Several times during the month, a conscientious Trucker Buddy drops a scenic postcard in the mailbox. As often as he cares to, he or she takes a few photographs. Then, when he arrives home, he eagerly opens that thick manila envelope, and begins to read.

Some drivers reply to each letter, answering specific questions. For others, the writing of 25-30 individual, original letters each month is either too daunting or too time consuming. No one will complain, however, if the driver restricts himself to one letter, written to the group as a whole.

A Trucker Buddy is neither parent nor schoolteacher; he doesn't grade papers nor scold for an unmade bed. A Trucker Buddy provides the only interaction many of these kids have with an adult who doesn't make demands.

It's estimated that since 1992, Trucker Buddy has helped educate over half million schoolchildren and introduced them to a group of caring, compassionate group of men and women, the nation’s professional truck drivers.

From a Sponsor - Steve Gilligan, Kenworth Trucks
“We support Trucker Buddy’s objectives of positively impacting thousands of children annually through its penpal program and enhancing the trucking industry’s image.”

Trucker Buddy funding
Although monetary donations are cheerfully accepted, Trucker Buddy doesn't actively seek donations from drivers. The organization receives most of its funds from corporate sponsors including JJ Keller and Associates, Randall Trucking Media, Arvin Meritor, Wal-Mart, Freightliner, Kenworth, Expediters Online.com and many others.

For information on how to become a Trucker Buddy, visit www.truckerbuddy.org or call 1-800 MY-BUDDY.