Grain Valley, Mo., Nov. 25, 2008 – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is again working to show appreciation to those who serve our country by conducting its second Truckers for Troops Telethon from Dec. 8-12, 2008. The campaign raises funds to send care packages to U.S. troops stationed in combat areas overseas.

During that week, 10 percent of renewal and new membership fees will be matched by the Association. “Land Line Now,” the association’s official radio show on XM Satellite Radio 171, will promote the telethon during its regularly scheduled broadcasts, 7-8 p.m. (EST).

“It was such a success last year, and we know many of our members have been requesting that we do it again,” said OOIDA President and CEO Jim Johnston. “This is a great way to help our members give back and show appreciation to the hard-working men and women serving our country,” he added.

During the telethon, new and renewal memberships will be discounted from $45 to $25, 10 percent of which will go towards the care package funds. The Association will match the money raised, dollar for dollar. The goal is to be able to send approximately 2,000 care packages. Last year’s campaign continued to bring in donations for several months past the actual telethon, raising more than $42,000.

Other radio shows will be participating to help promote the campaign to truckers with interviews and on-air mentions during the week of the campaign. After the telethon, OOIDA volunteers will arrange and coordinate shipping the packages to arrive in combat areas sometime in January.

Some of the items included in the care packages sent last year were self-heating coffees, socks and personal care items. However, among the most popular were the hand made greeting cards. “We know that many eyes were lit up by seeing such an outpouring of support in the form of cards and letters,” comments Norita Taylor who handles public relations for OOIDA. “We’d like for anyone, especially school age children of any grade level, to participate again this year.”

NOTE: Towns or school names should be included, but please do not include last names or other personal information. Send them to OOIDA headquarters, attention Norita Taylor or attention to Truckers for Troops.  P.O. Box 1000, Grain Valley, MO 64029-0712.

For more information, visit www.landlinenow.com or www.ooida.com or www.landlinemag.com.

“Land Line Now” is America’s first daily one-hour news program produced exclusively for the professional truck driver. The show is created every day at OOIDA headquarters. OOIDA is the national trade association representing the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. The Association currently has more than 159,000 members nationwide. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the greater Kansas City, Mo., area.