Trucker Buddy News

Trucker Buddy Fred Inspires Students to Work Hard

For the past nine years, Fred Steudle has been writing to a fifth grade class in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta. Trucker Buddy Fred has motivated the students in teacher Bev Biccum’s classroom to “work hard,” according to Mrs. Biccum.

“He cares about the students and challenges them with creative and interesting activities,” Mrs. Biccum adds.

The children are always excited to hear from their driver, and they are eager for him to visit the school when he is not delivering a load.

Tasha, a student in Mrs. Biccum’s class, nominated Steudle for the Driver of the Month award because, she writes, “Every year I learn more about geography, maps and transportation, and Mr. Steudle is funny and tells jokes to make us laugh.”

Classmate Nichollaus appreciates the fact that the students are able to learn geography by following Mr. Steudle’s trips on a map.

Steudle is a company driver for Heyl Truck Line, based in Akron, IA. He is one of 79 Canadian drivers and nearly 4,000 professional drivers who share their time with elementary classes throughout the world. The only criteria to be a Trucker Buddy is to be a truck driver willing to send a postcard each week to a class in grades two through eight. Drivers and teachers can find out more about the program by visiting www.truckerbuddy.org or calling 1-800-MY BUDDY.

Trucker Buddy Fred will receive a personalized jacket, along with a check for $300 to spend on his class and $200 in Trucker Buddy merchandise. Over the Road and Pro Trucker magazines are proud sponsors of the Trucker Buddy program.