Trucker Buddy News

Driver commits to physically challenged students

The most important thing Trucker Buddy John Waldvogel has brought to his classroom is a sincere friendship, says teacher Jeanne Hissong, who along with her students nominated Waldvogel for the Trucker Buddy Driver of the Month honor.

“I think our Trucker Buddy John should be the Driver of the Month because he is the best Trucker Buddy ever!” writes student Kate.

“Last year, John arranged a special surprise for our students—he brought a camera crew from Toledo to film us for WTOL Channel 11 news!” Hissong says. “He gave us a copy of the video, and I taped it for all of my students. They were thrilled to see themselves on TV.”

Waldvogel, a Trucker Buddy of nine years, lives in Toledo, OH. He has been a company driver for Motor Carrier Services, North-wood, OH since 1994.

Waldvogel has been a Trucker Buddy for Hissong’s class for the past two years. In addition to sending postcards every week from places he has been, he brings them movies to watch, logs to keep track of their activities, awards, stickers and treats. He also visits the class with his truck every fall and spring.

“John has done an excellent job communicating with our students with special needs and explaining to them in terms they can understand what it is like to be a trucker,” Hissong notes. “They especially enjoy his visits when he brings his truck. John helps the physically challenged students get in his truck, and they enjoy seeing all of the equipment it has.”

Waldvogel has touched the students’ hearts, as summed up by one student who says, “I want to be a Trucker Buddy when I grow up!”

Waldvogel is one of 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 and 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.

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 ACS MultiMedia Advertising. Over the Road and Pro Trucker are proud sponsors of the Trucker Buddy program.