"Final Mile" Charity Offers Respect and Dignity for North American Truckers
Albuquerque, May 18, 2015 (Newswire.com) - There has to be an answer. In the Trucking community, there is always that underlying question; the elephant in the room so to speak. "Honey, what if something happens while you're out on the road?"
According to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, 852 Truck Drivers lost their lives in highway collisions in 2013. More than 20,000 were injured severely enough to require transport from the accident scene by ambulance. Those injured, yet not transported to hospital, are not counted.
The statistics are vague when it pertains to those Truckers that are killed or injured due to falling freight, falls from the vehicle, parking lot mishaps, crime, and so on. What if one now factors in those that perish from, or survive a catistrophic medical episode such as a heart attack, stroke, or a situation requiring emergency surgery?
Truck Drivers can be away from home for weeks. They can be hundreds of miles away at any given time. Some long haul Truckers can travel 500-600 miles in a single day. Most can eat and sleep right in their rigs.
With new regulations such as NAFTA, international borders in the Trucking industry are virtually non-existent. This type of commerce allows Canadian, as well as Mexican Truckers, to criss cross the United States and also allows U.S. Truckers to travel quite freely and regularly throughout Canada.
So, "what if something happens when you're out on the road?" becomes a major concern.
truckersfinalmile.org was Founded by a 30+ year veteran of the Trucking Industry. After a major accident several hundred miles from home in 1997, and a ruptured appendix in St. Louis in 2010, Albuquerque, New Mexico resident Robert Palm decided to focus on answering that question.
With support from his wife and an all volunteer Board of Directors, truckers final mil (dot) org became recognized as an IRS defined 501 (c) (3) in April, 2014.
The Charity has developed four specific programs to reunite North American Truck Drivers with their family. Ranging from local ground transportation, round trip air fare, lodging accomendations, and more, these programs are provided at no cost to holders of a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) or Canadian/Mexican equivelent. Information on program details, specific policies, as well as the Charities organizational structure documents can be found on the website truckers final mile (dot) org.
A 24 hour volonteer staff can verify an incident, usually within the stated four hour time frame after recieving a request for assistance. The requesting party would then choose an immediate travel option suitable to their need. In most cases, travel arangements are made for two persons. It is policy of the Charity that a greiving next of kin not travel alone.
Unique in their Mission and scope, truckersfinalmile.org requires no membership, no dues; there are no application fees, and those that do receive benefit from the programs offered are never billed.
For in depth information on becoming a sponsor, or to donate to this worthy cause, email Robert Palm at robert at truckers final mile dot org or via the contact form on truckers final mile (dot) org.
Other opportunities for making donations are available at the following: truckers final mile dot org, Go Fund Me (dot) com, on GuideStar (dot) org, on JustGive (dot) org, by mail to truckersfinalmile, 3301-R Coors Blvd., N.W.#293, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87120, or by calling 505 288 2282.