(Grain Valley, Mo., Dec. 19, 2011) – The fifth annual Truckers for Troops campaign succeeded in passing last year’s amount in dollars raised with $73,560 going to care packages for military personnel stationed in combat areas overseas.

“We are not surprised at the level of support from our members,” said Norita Taylor, media spokesperson for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).  “We know they care about our troops and are more than willing to participate in this program. They make it happen.”

While socks and snacks top the list of most troops’ care packages and will certainly be included, according to Taylor, it is the hand-made cards and letters from home that make the packages truly special.

“We are still asking for kids around the country to help with this important part of the annual program as it’s one of the most popular things we send.”

Truckers for Troops took place the week of Dec. 5 – 9, 2011, raising money to pack and send care packages to service personnel stationed in combat zones, primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan. The campaign had a head start with a generous donation from Shell Rotella for $5,000. During that week, 10 percent of renewal and new membership fees were matched by the Association. New and renewal memberships were discounted from $45 to $25, 10 percent of which went towards the care package funds. The campaign included a week-long radio effort broadcast on OOIDA’s Sirius XM show Land Line Now.

TO SEND CARDS/LETTERS:
Send to OOIDA headquarters, attention: Truckers for Troops, P.O. Box 1000, Grain Valley, MO 64029. For more information, call 816-229-5791 and ask for Norita Taylor. Individual envelopes are not necessary. Towns or school names can be included, but please do not include last names or other personal information.

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 151,000 members nationwide. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the Greater Kansas City, Mo., area.