Trucker Buddy Boy Scout Event Big Success at MATS

Trucker Buddy and the Lincoln Heritage Scout Council partnered to bring over 240 Scouts, Scouting leaders and parents to the Mid-America Trucking Show held March 27 - 29, 2014, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky. The Mid-America Trucking Show is the largest annual heavy-duty trucking tradeshow in the world.

Each Scout earned their Truck Transportation and Traffic Safety merit badges with instruction by Matt Slovack, a Trucker Buddy and driver for Don Hummer Trucking, as well as taking a tour of the trucking industry by visiting selected booths. Booth personnel gave them insight and examples of new technology as well as general information about how the trucking industry affects them in everyday life.

"Trucker Buddy International is very excited about the first Scouting event held at MATS. Anytime you show over 250 people how innovative and responsible our industry is that goes a long way in changing perceptions,” said Randy Schwartzenburg, executive director Trucker Buddy International. “Of course, this program fits into our wheelhouse which is to encourage young students to excel in life and school while improving our image to the public. Add teaching future drivers how to be safer and that makes this event dynamic and extremely important. Matt did an excellent job of teaching the material and making the session fun. We look forward to expanding this to other shows like the Iowa 80 Jamboree and the Great American Truck Show later this year."

Gene S., a parent and Scout leader, was appreciative of the event as well. “Thanks for all the hard work getting things ready for the scout merit badge fair at MATS. It was fantastic!” he said. “The scouts from our troop had a great time and talked about all the things they saw and learned. The adult leaders enjoyed it as well and met many other scout leaders that were part of the manufacturer’s sales teams which made it even more interesting. Thanks to all the sponsors and Mr. Slovak for changing the Scouts’ and Scouters’ perceptions of the trucking industry."

According to Brian Weigel, program and advancement director for Lincoln Heritage Council, BSA, this inaugural program will help foster a partnership that can help prepare the young people who attended for potential careers in the industry and to help make highways safer. “The Lincoln Heritage Council appreciates the support of Trucker Buddy International to help educate our Boy Scouts regarding the trucking industry by offering sessions on truck transportation and traffic safety merit badges. We look forward to growing this program in the years to come," said Weigel.

Trucker Buddy International, an independent, non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, often called the number one trucking image campaign in North America, has helped educate schoolchildren and introduce educators to the trucking industry.  This gives them the world through the eyes of a professional truck driver.  The Trucker Buddy program helps to educate and mentor schoolchildren via a pen pal relationship between professional truck drivers and children in grades K-8 as supervised by their teachers.

After an extensive screening process, the professional truck drivers are matched with a class and as directed by the teacher, drivers share news about their travels with their class. Students write letters and send pictures to their drivers. Students' skills in reading, writing, geography, mathematics, social studies, and history are enhanced and learning is made fun.

Since 1992, Trucker Buddy International has helped educate over a million schoolchildren and introduced them to caring, compassionate men and women, professional truck drivers.  The on-going success of the program is due to driver volunteers, participating teachers and the contributions of sponsors.  There is no cost to the drivers or teachers to participate in the program.  The Trucker Buddy program is funded entirely by sponsorships and donations. If you would like to make a donation, “Click Here”.

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Don Hummer Trucking

Don Hummer Trucking was started nearly forty years ago with a driver and one truck. The company has expanded over the years to become a nationwide carrier large enough to handle freight to and from every state. In addition, they are one of the best paying trucking companies in the Midwest, offering cdl employment as well as non-driver careers.

Don Hummer Trucking Corporation was established in 1975 by Don Hummer after spending a lifetime around the trucking industry with his father, Buck Hummer, who started hauling livestock in 1950.  Buck instilled the traditions of the trucking industry into the Hummer Family and Don has continued to pass this tradition on to his family and son, Chris Hummer, now the company Vice President.

Don Hummer Trucking values safety and service.  They are always looking for safety conscious professional drivers, maintenance staff, and administrative staff to become part of their team. 

Whether you are looking for a career in logistics or a trucker’s job, at Don Hummer you can experience what it is like to be a team member of an award winning fleet.

Learn more about Don Hummer Trucking and complete an on-line application today!
888-323-6115

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Based on the results of the TruckDriver.com Truck Show Survey, it would appear that attendance this year was pretty low, however, we can assure the place was packed!

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Until next time, keep on truckin’ and please drive safely.

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