Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/709344
Spring 2016 1 A Message from Trucker Buddy Trucker Buddy has had a great start to 2016 and looking for more activity for the future. We really appreciate the drivers and teachers in the program for helping us to educate almost 60,000 young students and Scouts about how vital the trucking industry is to them and their communities. We have had so many fun and exciting class visits with our professional drivers taking their trucks to the schools and allowing the students to sit in a real big rig truck. Over the years we've been amazed by how the students respond to not only the drivers but the actual truck. Their eyes light up and then you can see the connection they have to something they see every day but now in a different way. Class visits are not a required part of the program but it adds so much value to the con- nection between the driver and the students. PeopleNet Communications came through again and because of their generosity nineteen classrooms received a grant of $500 each to purchase supplies, equipment and teaching tools. The schools were scattered across the country and one class was even in Uganda, Africa. When I emailed the update that the checks were being sent out one teacher responded. "Hot dog, now I can go shopping for my class!" Teachers spend so much of their own resources to give their students a chance to success and it's a very heart- warming story to help provide some assistance to them. Trucker Buddy continues to teach Scouts about the trucking industry. We have provided information to over 10,000 Scouts about the trucking industry and some even earned their truck transportation and traffic safety merit badges. At MATS we had over 100 attend the event and walked away with some excellent information and some badges to boot. We completed a pilot program with Meritor where Trucker Buddies were located for a school in the area of York, South Carolina where they have a large plant. We were able to connect the school with drivers to teach the students about the industry. It has been a big success. We hope you have a great summer and please let us know if you have any question. Randy Schwartzenburg K.C. Brau Executive Director President