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For many years during the fall season, I have battled the holiday traffic to deliver Turkeys, Christmas Trees or Truck Parts. This year I decided it was time to take some rest and downtime during the Thanksgiving holiday. I never turn down a great home cooked meal and celebrating with my family and friends. I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving as well.
When I arrived home for the holiday, I was surprised to find a large envelope from my “Trucker Buddy” class located in Pennsylvania. The new second grade class had sent me their own homemade Thanksgiving cards. It was such a pleasure to read each one. They wrote about what they had planned to 
do during their break from school. Many would be traveling away to Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Also, they shared about learning to subtract two digit numbers and regroup (borrow). It’s getting cooler in Pennsylvania and the leaves are dropping from the trees. Some students wrote how their families have begun the task of raking leaves over the last couple of weeks.
The class and I have been corresponding since school began this year. The students have written me several times to learn about my hobbies, family, materials transported and why I like my job driving a truck. It’s always an opportunity for them to learn about the Trucking Industry and why our job is so important to their everyday lives. I have been sending them postcards from the places across the country. Many times, I’ll share with them my schedule of travels and they will follow on a map or the computer. Also, their classroom has a large area United States rug. They sit on the floor and 
map out my travel as they follow along in the various states throughout our country. They are interested in cities, museums and places of interest. It is fun for me to introduce them to many locations that they have not visited as of yet.
The written cards and letters give students a chance to improve upon their handwriting skills. They draw pictures of my truck and trailer and ask lots of questions. In the spring, during an event in Pennsylvania, I make time to stop by and visit in person. The children really enjoy seeing a close up look at the truck and many of them like meeting me in person. They really roll out the red carpet during my visits. It’s always a special day and I look forward to meeting each class during the year. Being a part of this organization has been a very rewarding experience for me over the years.
If you would like to participate in Trucker Buddy International, you can learn more by going to their website. (www.truckerbuddy.org)