Trucker Buddy News

Vic and Sues Jones and Truckin' Teddy

Vic and Sue Jones, along with their special friend Truckin’ Teddy, received the ACS MultiMedia Trucker Buddy Driver of the Month award for July.

Truckin’ Teddy is a large stuffed bear that travels with Vic and Sue and also “writes” to the school children. Truckin’ Teddy is famous in the trucking world and a hit with Deanna Reed’s Southport Elementary School in Indianapolis. Yet the postcards, educational items and scrapbook Vic and Sue compile for their class also played a part in their selection as Trucker Buddies of the Month.

“We’ve learned so much from them. They have sent us hundreds of postcards so that we can follow their journeys,” Reed says. “We’ve also received a tumbleweed from Oklahoma, oranges from Florida, cotton from Georgia, Texas Ranger badges, a book about Seminole Indians and candy and wooden Klompen shoes from Holland, MI.”

The children feel the same way. “This is about our Trucker Buddies Vic and Sue, who I like a lot. I’ve learned there are cool places in the world,” writes student Justin. “Their job is interesting because they go around buying us postcards, oranges, beads and other things.”

The Joneses, better known as Rabbi and Kachina Doll, are leased to Con-Way NOW.

“One of the most exciting items that this past class received was the flag that Vic and Sue displayed on their truck as they drove in a huge convoy in Florida for Special Olympics,” Reed relates. In addition, Sue kept track of the questions each child wrote and then talked to each one personally about their questions.

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. 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 (800) MY BUDDY. Over The Road and Pro Trucker magazines are proud sponsors of the Trucker Buddy program.

Photo caption: Trucker Buddy Drivers of the Month Vic and Sue Jones with their pal Truckin’ Teddy