Giving Tuesday: 5 Trucking Organizations to Donate to on December 3, 2019

Beyond just generally being a good thing to do, giving can also be good for you. There are many studies that suggest that giving back could positively impact an individual’s health both mentally and physically. Giving Tuesday is the perfect opportunity to help others and help yourself.

#GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

The trucking community has long been known for its generosity to those in need. Truckers have difficult, demanding jobs. Many live paycheck-to-paycheck and can’t afford to miss a delivery–even at the expense of their own health. Sadly, in the first half of 2019 alone, more than 640 trucking companies went bankrupt in the first half of 2019 alone, leaving more than 3,000 drivers without jobs. So, what does a trucker do if they’re broke and hungry, over a thousand miles from home? How do these trucker families make ends meet and pay for medical expenses when their company permanently closes its doors?

The Good News

Thankfully, there are organizations like The Truckers Christmas Group (TGCO) out there that exist to help truckers and their families in times of need.

The Truckers Christmas Group (TGCO) is an organization that was created in 2008 to raise funds to support CDL drivers and their families during the holiday season by raising funds requested through aid applications and nominations.

In 2018, TGCO saw record numbers of applications. The organization delivered $8,000 to 16 families during the Christmas season. Unfortunately, for 2019, TCGO is anticipating an even more increased need based on the number of trucking companies that are going out of business. This is in addition to the number of applications for drivers or their immediate family members’ medical conditions that are traditionally received.

TGCO started accepting nominations for trucking families on November 21st, 2019 and will continue accepting nominations until December 11, 2019. To nominate a driver and his/her family, visit https://truckerschristmasgroup.org/. All nominations are anonymous and open to professional CDL drivers living in the United States and Canada.

On December 3, 2019, Mother Trucker Yoga encourages you to join the #GivingTuesday movement–whether you are able to give your time, a donation, or the power of your voice in your community–do something to make the trucking world a better place.

Here are 5 GREAT organizations to consider donating to this Giving Tuesday:

1 – St. Christopher’s Truck Relief Fund (SCF)

SCF exists to help truckers suffering hardship because of a current medical issue. For over ten years, they have been helping drivers get access to health resources, and to pay critical household expenses.

2 – Truckers Christmas Group (TCGO)

The Truckers Christmas group began in 2008 by Truckers who wanted to help Truckers and their families that have fallen on bad times, have a better Christmas. Since its inception, TCGO has raised more than $90,000 and helped 154 trucking families ease the financial burdens associated with the holiday season.

Look for Mother Trucker Yoga’s donated items to purchase this holiday season inside their store!

3 – Trucker Charity

Trucker Charity offers a variety of services to those in the trucking industry, including life coaches and mentoring with one-on-one assistance. The organization also provides assistance with food and emergency housing for truckers that become stranded due to disaster or inclement weather and operates a food pantry for truckers at exit 68 along I-70 in Brownstown, IL.

4 – TruckersFinalMile.org

TruckersFinalMile.org helps truckers reunite with their families during crisis. The group can help provide transportation and lodging during critical times and has a hotline staffed 24/7/365.

5 – Meals for 18 Wheels

This group helps professional drivers across the country get connected with a hot meal. Through a network of volunteers, they will put hungry drivers in touch with locals who can deliver a hot, home-cooked meal to them in their trucks. They will also help drivers and their families who are struggling financially to put food in their cupboards.