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Group Offering Holiday Assistance to Truck Drivers

Published:

By: Heidi O.

A great friend of mine, Elisha Palma, had a great big heart and a great big idea. She wanted to “Give Back” to the trucking community by way of helping some families put a good meal on their table at Thanksgiving and Christmas or presents under their tree.

So, she started a Facebook group called Trucking Angels of America. She asked for my help to do some fundraising and she also recruited the help of a wonderful woman, Danielle Smithers, to help run the group. Trucking Angels of America then got off the ground.

However, early in 2014, Elisha passed away suddenly leaving Danielle and I with a dilemma. Do we keep the group open or let it shut down? With the blessing of Elisha’s family, we decided to keep the group open. The group now has almost 3,000 members.

I have done all of the fundraising for the group through the sales of tshirt or hoodies on booster.com and Danielle has kept the group running with the help of a few admins. We have been able to raise enough money to help anywhere from 5 to 8 families this holiday season through gift cards they can take to their local store and be able to provide either a good meal or some gifts for the kids or both. There is an application we request be completed and we will confirm all information to be sure we are helping trucking families who truly need the help.

The group has also helped Elisha’s family by sending them a check to help with her expenses from the funeral and we have also helped a trucking family this summer when their special needs child was in the hosputal.

Most people have not heard of Trucking Angels of America becasue we don’t look for recognition when we help others, we do it because it is something we all feel a great need to do. We enjoy giving back and will continue to give back in honor of Elisha.

We hope to continue to raise money next year to be able to help.even more families, but for our first year of trying, I think we are doing pretty good to be able to help the 5 to 8 families we will help.

APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE

FROM TRUCKING ANGELS OF AMERICA

Trucking Angels of America was founded in January 2014 with the purpose of providing help

through gift cards to trucking families in need for them to purchase a good meal or presents for

their children.

APPLICATION PROCESS

We understand that there are times when trucking families struggle to make ends meet.   Our desire is to help these families through providing gift cards. Every family is asked to complete an application for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas help.   The information provided will help us determine the extent of help that is needed and will ensure we are helping fellow Trucking families.   We will strive to help as many families as we can; however please know we are very new and have limited resources.  Please do NOT assume you have been accepted just because you have completed an application.   We will notify those families we are able to help.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS: NOVEMBER 10, 2014

 FAMILY NAME: ___________________________

ADDRESS: ______________________________________      CITY____________________

STATE: ________.    ZIP: _____________.     PHONE: _______________________________

EMAIL: ______________________________________________

 

APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE

FROM TRUCKING ANGELS OF AMERICA

 

Holiday Assistance Requested:

Thanksgiving: _____________

Christmas: ________________

Both: _____________________

Need Help With:

Food Only: ________________

Presents Only: ______________

Both F old and Presents: _________

Thank you for understanding that we have LIMITED RESOURCES to help and we will notify

you by phone or email to advise if your family was chosen to receive a gift card.

APPLICATION OF ASSISTANCE

FROM TRUCKING ANGELS OF AMERICA

Please explain your situation to help us understand why you need help. (we are not judging anyone or sharing with one.)

Submit completed document to the follow email address: 

[email protected]

 

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