Trucker Buddy News

Trucker Buddy news

Role models earn an A+ for enhancing children’s education

The time and energy that Harvey and Karen Zander put behind their volunteer efforts for Trucker Buddy have earned them the ACS Multi-Media Trucker Buddy Driver of the Month honor for July.
     “Harvey and Karen have spent many hours with my students,” wrote teacher Pam Halverson in her letter of nomination. “Activities have included trucker log books, road safety discussions (danger zones), tours through the truck and a variety of craft activities.”
     The Zanders, who joined the Trucker Buddy program in 2000, have been matched with Halverson’s fourth grade class at Humphrey Elementary School in Waverly, MN for the past two years.
     “The Zanders have not only volunteered their time to teach us, but they have also generously donated many gifts—pencils, posters, prints, shirts, cameras, treats and toys,” Halverson related. “We’ve even talked with Harvey on the phone when he has been on the road.”
     The students were impressed with the Zanders’ driving record, an admirable four million accident-free miles, which was mentioned in almost every one of the 22 students’ letters that accompanied the nomination. The students also were wowed by the Zanders’ well-known and striking show truck, Icy Blu 2, a 2003 International 9900ix Eagle that has won numerous awards in truck beauty contests. Yet, it is the other, less-known awards the Zanders have received that show the extra mile the couple goes in their commitment to industry and community.
     In 1999, Harvey received a Jefferson Award for volunteerism. In 2000, he won the National Truck Driver of the Year contest, an annual award given to one of the top five contractors in the United States and Canada.
     Like many Trucker Buddies, the Zanders teach life lessons as well as practical education. “We could not think of a more deserving Trucker Buddy,” Halverson said. “Harvey and Karen have touched all of us with their kindness and generosity.”
     Harvey has been leased to Dart Transit for more than 20 years. The Zanders make their home in St. Louis Park, MN.
     Each Trucker Buddy Driver of the Month receives a personalized jacket, along with a check for $300 to spend on the class and $200 in Trucker Buddy merchandise, compliments of program sponsor ACS MultiMedia Advertising (www.tmi-multimedia.com). Drivers can find out more by visiting www.trucker-buddy.org or calling 1-800-MY-BUDDY.

Photo caption:
Trucker Buddies Karen and Harvey Zander