Customers and employees of TravelCenters of America, operator of TA and Petro Stopping Centers, have donated $2,811.26 to the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides direct assistance to professional truck drivers whose medical problems have led to financial hardship.

Professional drivers contributed nearly $2,375 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. in March. The 2013 donations at MATS surpassed those in 2012 by nearly $400. Employees of TravelCenters also donated more than $435 to SCF during a corporate fundraising event that kicked off the professional baseball season.

“It’s been said that professional drivers are some of the most generous people on earth, and we see evidence year after year of the truth in that,” said Tom O’Brien, TravelCenters President and CEO. “When drivers learn that SCF helps other drivers in need, there is no hesitation in making a donation. We see this at both our industry shows and during our annual Band Together for SCF campaigns."

TravelCenters has provided support to the SCF since 2010 through its annual Band Together for SCF fundraising campaigns and smaller collection efforts at tradeshows and employee events throughout the year. To date, TravelCenters has helped raise nearly $775,000 for the charity, which provides financial support to professional drivers without other means to fund prescription medications, living expenses, and medical procedures.

Since SCR began in 2007, it has helped more than 700 drivers with financial support.

Professional drivers can make donations to the SCF at the TravelCenters booth at this year’s Truckers’ Jamboree at the TA in Walcott, Iowa, July 11-13; the Expedite Expo in Wilmington, Ohio, July 26-27; and the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, August 22-24. The 2013 Band Together for SCF campaign will run during August, where drivers can donate $1 or more at TA and Petro sites and receive a commemorative wristband. Donations to the SCF can also be made directly at www.truckersfund.org.

Related Story:TravelCenters of America Customers, Employees Donate $278,207 to St. Christopher Fund