(Grain Valley, Mo., Dec. 10, 2009) – Usually Santa Claus makes deliveries using a big, red sleigh. But in the case of a family resource center in Crum, W. Va., a trailer stuffed with toys, food and clothes will instead arrive in a big rig, thanks to the generosity of one trucker.

When Bob Ruckman, Senior Life member of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), learned that donated goods intended for the Starting Points Family Resource Center might not make it in time for Christmas, or at all, he stepped in and offered to make the delivery.

For several years, the haul was made by another transportation company, but this year that company could no longer provide the ride for things collected by Andrea Ciniero of Ellicott City, Maryland. She spends the better part of the year gathering donations of new and used items and storing them in her home until close to Christmas.

Ruckman, who is from Leivasy, W. Va., was more than glad to help and Ciniero was relieved that the 450-mile trip would still be made.

“It only takes one person to make a difference, and OOIDA and Bob have done that for an entire town.  I'm grateful that they came to me with support when I thought we weren't going to be able to pull it off this year,” said Ciniero.

U.S. Representative Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) commented about the gesture.

“The holiday season is a special time when we reach out to those closest to us,” said Rahall.   “But, it is also important to take the time to thank those among us, who go above and beyond – those special people, who choose to make a difference in life, and for making the lives of others better.  I extend my personal, heartfelt thanks to OOIDA,  and to Bob Ruckman for generously giving his time and truck to make the holidays a little brighter for the children and families in Wayne County, West Virginia.”

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is the largest national trade association representing the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. The Association currently has more than 157,000 members nationwide. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the greater Kansas City, Mo., area.

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