1. Operation Roger

This unique non-profit group relies on truck drivers to voluntarily transport pets back home. Their mission is “to help rescues and individuals being reunited with their pets”. Once Operation Roger gets notified about a lost pet, they do what they can to match it to a trucker that is traveling in that direction. These volunteer drivers will pick up that pet (dog, cat and other small animals) and reunite it with its owner. Of course, these drivers are truck drivers first, so accommodations are made for owners to meet them in travel centers or a convenient location along their route. This enables them to do their job but help rescue pets at the same time.

2. St. Christopher Truckers Development & Relief Fund (SCF)

SCF is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to help over-the-road/regional semi-truck drivers and their families when an illness or injury has recently caused them to be out of work”. They do this by providing financial help to drivers who have been affected and are struggling to provide for their everyday financial needs. Many of these drivers have families and desperately need help until they can return to work. SCF also provides programs that will positively benefit truck drivers and the trucking industry, such as Rigs Without Cigs.

3. Trucker Buddy

This non-profit allows truck drivers to connect with students in a very powerful, fun way. Their mission is “to help young students to excel in school and improve the image of the trucking industry one driver and one class at a time”. They do this by assigning a truck driver to a class and allowing the two to write back-and-forth. These pen-pal relationships have given students the opportunity to “place a face behind the steering wheel of trucks across the country”. It also gives truckers the opportunity to receive encouragement and create relationships with sweet children while they are on-the-road. There are currently 2,000 drivers helping to impact 60,000 students per year.

4. Truckers Christmas Group

Truckers Christmas Group is a lesser-known non-profit that has had a big impact on truck drivers and their families each Christmas season. This group was created by truckers with the mission of “helping Truckers and their families that have fallen on bad times, have a better Christmas”. To-date, they have helped over 154 trucking families in need with $90,000 of pure donations. One way they raise money is by selling donated products in their Christmas Shop, to put towards helping nominated trucking families receive needed funds in time for Christmas.

5. Truckers Against Trafficking

Truckers Against Trafficking is a non-profit group addressing the serious issue of human trafficking. Their mission is “to educate, equip, empower and mobilize members of the trucking and busing industries to combat human trafficking”. They consider truckers to be the “eyes and ears of our nation’s highways” and because of that are seeking to train them to help make a difference and help put an end to these terrible crimes. Their website is full of information for truckers to begin assisting law enforcement in recognizing and reporting human trafficking, in hopes of saving victims and arresting their perpetrators. Thanks to this group, 1,133 victims have been identified to-date.

In addition to these non-profit organizations, there are a variety of convoys and truck shows that raise money for wonderful causes as well. Make-A-Wish Truck Convoy takes place in Lancaster, PA. This convoy see’s over 500 truck drivers each year who help donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Additionally, there area a few Special Olympics Convoys, such as the one in South Carolina taking place in October. All proceeds of the convoy go to Special Olympic Athletes. As for charitable truck shows, Brad Wike’s Southern Classic Truck Show is a can’t miss. It takes place each September in Lincolnton, NC to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Even if you don’t have the funds to donate to one of these great causes, there a variety of other ways to get involved and make a difference! Volunteer to transport rescued pets, sign-up to become a pen-pal with a classroom of kids, whatever you do will not only improve others' lives but yours as well.

Join our community of Truck Drivers on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roadprodriverslounge/