DECEMBER 24, 2025 – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association held its annual Truckers for Troops® campaign from Nov. 10-16, 2025, the same week as Veterans Day. This annual drive focuses on supporting U.S. troops overseas and veterans back home.
The Truckers for Troops program sends care packages to service members, but are short on requests. Anyone who has a family member or friend serving with the U.S. military, and who would like for them to get a care package, can send the name and complete address to troops@ooida.com. Be sure to include projected stateside return date.
The fundraising effort has been an OOIDA tradition since 2007, originally dedicated to sending care packages to service personnel stationed in combat zones. Truckers for Troops has also helped a variety of veterans facilities, including those assisting or housing wounded, disabled or homeless service members.
ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE: Over the past 18 years, OOIDA has raised more than $800,000 dollars and sent more than 3,288 care packages, serving more than 39,400 members of the military. The organization has also sent aid packages to 65 different facilities caring for wounded, disabled and homeless veterans, including the Veterans Community Project. The VCP began in Kansas City and plans to have locations in every state. Currently they have locations in Sioux Falls, SD, Longmont, CO, St. Louis, and anticipate expanding to Oklahoma City, OK, Milwaukee, WI and Glendale, AZ.
More info can be found here: Truckers for Troops website. Individual tax-deductible contributions to the Truckers for Troops fund are also welcome and can be paid to the OOIDA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
Spotlight on Veterans Community Project: This invaluable project transitions veterans from homelessness to permanent housing. Veterans are provided with “tiny homes” filled with amenities. All veterans can also access a community center for other types of support and services. With several locations and plans for national expansion, the project aims to touch lives in every state.
CARDS AND LETTERS SHOWING APPRECIATION
Send to: Attention: Truckers for Troops, P.O. Box 1000, Grain Valley, MO 64029. Towns or school names can be included, but please do not include last names or other personal information. No particular theme, and not necessarily holidays or Christmas.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is the largest national trade association representing the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. The Association currently has approximately 150,000 members nationwide. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the Greater Kansas City, Mo., area.