TransLand’s Bright Green Truck Will Raise Money For Care to Learn

Local trucking company TransLand has a history of giving back to the community. In 2012, the group painted a community truck pink to raise awareness for cancer. The company is continuing that tradition by introducing its second community truck, but this time, the partnership is with 417-land nonprofit Care to Learn. “It’s in everyone’s DNA here,” says Rebecca Anderson, the marketing and communications manager for TransLand, about the company’s giving spirit.

For every mile driven by the truck, which has been painted a Monster Energy Drink bright green, TransLand will donate five cents to Care to Learn, a nonprofit helping students with unmet hygiene, health and hunger needs. While the bright green truck is new, the partnership between  Care to Learn and TransLand is going on three years. The two have collaborated since 2016 when Anderson assisted Care to Learn with marketing and fundraising efforts during Give Ozarks Day. The following year, TransLand matched the $5,000 Care to Learn raised to help fund a new location for the nonprofit in Fair Groves.

However, the connection stretches even further back than that. Care to Learn and TransLand first became linked because of a 6-year-old’s generous spirit. Lexi, the daughter of TransLand’s VP of HR and Organizational Effectiveness, saw a child in her kindergarten class six years ago with an item from Care to Learn. With her birthday on the horizon, Lexi ditched her birthday wish list and instead asked  for donations to Care to Learn. Anderson says Lexi was a driving force in TransLand’s push for a second community truck.

Lexi isn’t the only one excited about the new truck. Molly Shultz is the official driver behind the wheel of the green big rig. Shultz, who has been a professional driver for 22 years, was surprised when she was chosen from the countless drivers who applied for the position. “We are just so lucky to have her here at the company,” Anderson says about Shultz, who has been with TransLand for two years. “She’s a great driver, very safe, really well spoken and great with customer service.”

Shultz cruises around the country Sunday through Friday, which ensures the Care to Learn truck garners a large amount of exposure while on the road. Anderson expects the truck to earn between $6,000 and $7,500 a year, based off the amount the other community truck earns.

For those looking to get involved in Care to Learn, volunteer at the Panther Run held October 6, 2018 at the O’Reilly Family Event Center or donate at caretolearn.org.