In The News

The St. Christopher Fund Announces Scholarship Winner

KNOXVILLE, TN— The St. Christopher Truckers Development & Relief Fund (SCF) is excited to announce David Hollenberg as the winner of the $10,000 scholarship that is being awarded to a former professional truck driver whose medical problems led to being unable to drive a truck. The award money will be used to fund an education necessary for re-training.

Mr. Hollenberg learned about trucking from a very early age by working alongside his father. David has supported his family with various activities in trucking, and up until 2011 his main income was from driving a truck. With around 2,000,000 safe miles under his belt in his career, he had only received a headlight warning and one over weight ticket. However, late one night in his secure lifestyle changed. David collided with a vehicle that was parked in the right lane on an interstate in the middle of the night. During the accident he was able to keep the truck upright; however, the impact and running through into a ditch left muscular and nerve damage to the right side of his body. The accident left him with partial paralysis on the right side of his body. Without full mobility of his right arm and leg, he cannot pass a DOT Physical or be able to safely operate a CMV, so with the only career he knew how to do no longer an option, he turned to school and a career change. He is dedicated to making a new future for himself and his family in another line of work, one where he know he will be able to make a difference for others.

When notified of his winning the scholarship, David stated, “The St Christopher Fund Scholarship is a blessing not just for me but my family also. Now we have a future to look forward to as I strive to retrain and reenter the workforce through. ‘THANK YOU’ to everyone who has given to the St Christopher Fund, and please keep giving so that they may help others in the future.”

This scholarship program is made possible by a donation from the National Association of Independent Truckers (NAIT). Dick King, Vice President, Association Programs, said, “The NAIT Charitable Foundation is pleased to financially support the SCF allowing them to further their work assisting the dedicated men and women that are an integral part of the industry and our economy.”

Dr. Donna Kennedy, Executive Director of the SCF, stated that “We often have applicants who will never be able to drive again due to a medical condition, such as being an insulin dependent diabetic or being on seizure medication. However, these individuals are fully capable of earning a living by other means. We want to help them along by offering an opportunity to go to school to learn another trade. We are excited to be able to broaden our mission of helping drivers in need.”

The SCF was founded in late 2007 as a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization. The SCF’s mission is to provide assistance to professional truck drivers whose medical problems have led to financial hardship. The SCF also conducts health research to benefit professional drivers and the trucking industry. To date, the Fund has been able to provide over $258,000 in financial assistance to more than 560 drivers. Financial assistance has been in the form of direct payment for household expenses, prescriptions, and medical bills.

For more information about the SCF or to make a donation, visit www.truckersfund.org, send a letter to P.O. Box 30763, Knoxville, TN 37930, call 865-202-9428, or send an email to [email protected].