Helping Those Who Serve 

Truckers have a long history of giving back, and Truckers for Troops continues that tradition. OOIDA explains, “The fundraising effort has been an OOIDA tradition since 2007, originally dedicated to sending care packages to service personnel stationed in combat zones. Truckers for Troops has also helped a variety of veteran facilities, including those assisting or housing wounded, disabled, or homeless service members.” 

The campaign focuses on sending care packages to troops overseas and providing assistance to veteran support facilities across the country. 

How Drivers Can Participate 

Truck drivers can get involved by joining or renewing their OOIDA membership for one year at $35. Ten percent of this fee goes directly toward care packages, and OOIDA matches that contribution dollar for dollar. 

Participation options include: 

• By Phone: Call 816-229-5791 during business hours, mention Truckers for Troops, and you will be connected to Membership. 

• Online: Click “Become a Member” on the OOIDA website to join or renew after hours. 

• Mail: Indicate “Dues & Donation” or “Donation Only” on your payment and specify “TROOPS.” Send donation-only checks to the OOIDA Foundation. 

Campaign Impact Over the Years 

Truckers have made a lasting difference. OOIDA reports, “Over the past 18 years, OOIDA has raised more than 800,000 dollars and sent more than 3,288 care packages, serving more than 39,400 members of the military. The organization has also sent aid packages to 65 different facilities caring for wounded, disabled, and homeless veterans, including the Veterans Community Project. The VCP began in Kansas City and plans to have locations in every state. Currently, they have locations in Sioux Falls, S.D., Longmont, Co., St. Louis, Mo., and anticipate expanding to Oklahoma City, Okla., Milwaukee, Wis., and Glendale, Ariz.” 

Veterans Community Project Spotlight 

Truckers supporting this campaign are also helping the Veterans Community Project, which provides veterans transitioning out of homelessness with tiny homes and access to community centers. OOIDA says, “This invaluable project transitions veterans from homelessness to permanent housing. Veterans are provided with ‘tiny homes’ filled with amenities. All veterans can also access a community center for other types of support and services. With several locations and plans for national expansion, the project aims to touch lives in every state.” 

Sending Care Packages 

Drivers with a family member or friend serving in the U.S. military can request a care package by sending the name and complete mailing address to troops@ooida.com. Include the projected stateside return date. 

Letters and cards showing appreciation can be mailed to:
Attention: Truckers for Troops
P.O. Box 1000
Grain Valley, MO 64029 

OOIDA notes, “Towns or school names can be included, but please do not include last names or other personal information. No particular theme, and not necessarily holidays or Christmas.” 

For more information or to get involved, visit the Truckers for Troops website. 

Source: The Trucker 

Image: OOIDA

The post Truckers for Troops 2025 Campaign Underway to Support U.S. Military and Veterans appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Since its inception in 2007, Truckers for Troops has become an integral part of OOIDA’s work, originally focusing on sending essential items to service members in combat zones. The program has expanded over the years to provide much-needed support to various veterans facilities, including those that assist wounded, disabled, or homeless veterans.

“Over the past 17 years, OOIDA has raised more than $800,000, sent more than 3,283 care packages, serving more than 39,396 members of the military,” states OOIDA, “The organization has also sent aid packages to 65 different facilities caring for wounded, disabled and homeless veterans, including the Veterans Community Project. The VCP began in Kansas City and plans to have locations in every state. Currently they have locations in Sioux Falls, SD; Longmont, CO: St. Louis, MO; and will be expanding to Oklahoma City, OK; Milwaukee, WI; and Glendale, AZ.”

How to Participate

During this week-long campaign, truckers can join or renew their membership for $35, with 10% allocated to funding care packages. OOIDA will match this contribution dollar for dollar.

• Phone: Call 816-229-5791 during business hours and mention Truckers for Troops. After hours, use the same number, press 1, and leave a voicemail.
• Online: Visit https://www.ooida.com/ and select “Become a Member” to join or renew.
• Mail: Send payments indicating “Dues & Donation” or “Donation only,” specifying “TROOPS.” Direct donation-only checks to the OOIDA Foundation.

For more information on donations, visit the Truckers for Troops website. The OOIDA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, accepts individual tax-deductible contributions to the Truckers for Troops fund.

Spotlight on Veterans Community Project

The Veterans Community Project is an innovative initiative boasting a 60% success rate in aiding veterans’ transition from homelessness to permanent housing. The project provides veterans with “tiny homes” equipped with amenities and access to a community center for support. With several operational sites and plans for further expansion, VCP aims to make a positive impact nationwide.

Send Care Packages

If you have a family member or friend serving in the military and would like them to receive a care package, send their name and complete address to troops@ooida.com, including their projected stateside return date.

Show Appreciation

To send cards and letters of appreciation, address them to Truckers for Troops, P.O. Box 1000, Grain Valley, MO 64029. You may include town or school names, but avoid last names or personal details. There’s no specific theme required, and they don’t need to be holiday related.

Source: The Trucker

Image: OOIDA

The post Supporting Our Troops for 18 Years with Truckers for Troops appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.