The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has pledged to continue its support of Trucker Buddy International, a non-profit dedicated to helping educate and mentor schoolchildren via a pen pal relationship between professional truck drivers and young kids.


During its bi-annual board meeting in April, the Board of Directors offered financial resources as well as editorial assistance and advertising exposure in Land Line Magazine. Additional help includes assisting in the distribution of the Trucker Buddy quarterly eMagazine to the OOIDA members. Trucker Buddy will display the OOIDA logo on its web site and provide advertising and logo recognition in the quarterly eMagazine.

"Having the support of OOIDA is important to us at Trucker Buddy since many of our Trucker Buddies are OOIDA members and their help has been critical to us," said Randy Schwartzenburg, executive director. "Many don't know it, but OOIDA also offers their members who are also Trucker Buddies merchandise to be given away during class visits -- which is a big hit with our young students and drivers as well."

"It's great to continue being a part of this program since we know how much it means to our members who are involved," said Norita Taylor, OOIDA spokeswoman. "We hear great things almost daily from those members, expressing the tremendous benefit the program brings to them and to the schools who participate."

After an extensive screening process, professional truck drivers are matched with a class and as directed by the teacher, drivers share news about their travels with their class. Students write letters and send pictures to their drivers. Students' skills in reading, writing, geography, mathematics, social studies, and history are enhanced and learning is fun.

The Trucker Buddy program is funded entirely by sponsorships and donations.