Thanksgiving might have already passed, but the tradition of recognizing and giving thanks to the hardworking and underappreciated people in your life can be continued all year round. This holiday season, there are many ways to give thanks by giving back to your community and the people who just don’t hear “thank you” often enough.
Here at Drive My Way, we know that truck drivers are truly the unsung heroes of our society, maintaining a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure by working in an industry that is built on giving. If you’re wondering how to keep the holiday spirit alive by giving back to fellow truckers and members of your community, keep reading for some of the best ways to give thanks this holiday season.
Giving Thanks to Truckers in Need
One of the best ways to celebrate the season of giving is by helping out fellow truckers. Consider donating or volunteering for one of the organizations across the nation that make it their priority to support drivers in need.
Many truck drivers face illness or injuries that keep them from working, which can seriously impact the driver and their loved ones. By giving back to an organization like St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, you can provide assistance to drivers who have financial need due to current medical problems. If you believe this organization could benefit you or someone you know, there is also a simple way to apply for support on their website.
For some, access to a warm meal is taken for granted. That’s why supporting an organization like Meals for 18 Wheels is a great way to help fellow truckers who are unable to easily provide themselves and their loved ones a meal. Operating year round, the organization assists drivers nationwide, making it easy to give back to drivers in your community who are in need.
Some carriers also make it a priority to give back their drivers and community each holiday season. For more than 50 years, Transervice Logistics has delivered holiday presents to their employees’ children and grandchildren at their facilities across the country. The company also goes the extra mile by then doubling the amount of gifts in a donation to The Salvation Army in the metro New York area.
Giving Back to Your Community and Beyond
If you’re interested in helping more than just your fellow truck drivers this year, there are many ways to get involved.
Some of the most important ways to give back are available all year round, but especially make a difference around the holidays and during colder months. Consider donating or volunteering at a food drive, which provides many families their only holiday meal each season.
As temperatures continue to drop all winter long, another great way to help those in need in your community is to donate warm clothes to a local homeless shelter, clothing drive, or charity. For those looking to help our four-legged friends, volunteering or donating toys and food to a local animal shelter can make a huge difference for such an important cause.
Another way to support your community is to honor our fallen heroes. On Saturday, December 16, 2023, more than 2 million volunteers and supporters will honor fallen veterans at national cemeteries and more than 4,000 locations nationwide. If you’d like to participate, it’s not too late. There are a number of ways you can be a part of this mission:
- Truckers can volunteer to haul loads – just scroll down the page and click “Volunteer for Trucking” to fill out the form.
- Volunteer to place wreaths – just click on the “Volunteer” button to find a participating cemetery near you and fill out the form.
- Sponsor a wreath – just click on the “Sponsor Wreaths” button and make your selection. You can also sponsor a specific cemetery or local sponsorship group.
- Donate to the cause – donate monetarily towards the transportation fund. This fund helps provide fuel assistance to make sure all the wreaths get to the final resting place of our heroes.
Let this holiday season act as a reminder that you can make a difference in the lives of fellow truck drivers, families in need, and people in your community. There are countless ways to give back, whether by donating your time or money to an important cause.
If there’s an organization you think we left out, or you want to share a story of generosity and kindness in the trucking industry, be sure to reach out to us on social media and we’d love to learn more.
