Arizona Pacific Transport driver Bonnie DeWitt, better known as “Grandma Bonnie,” was named the ACS MultiMedia June Trucker Buddy Driver of the Month for her work with students at a Homer, N.Y., elementary school. DeWitt was nominated by Jeanne Stevens, who teaches supplementary reading and writing for students in grades 3-6 at Homer Intermediate School.
A company driver for APT in Springfield, Mo., DeWitt communicated with the class of more than 75 children each week via postcard. She and her husband, Frank, also visited the classroom. When the class once made stationary for her, DeWitt handed it out to the employees at Arizona Pacific, who in turn used it to tell the class about their jobs and encouraged them to keep up with their studies. Stevens says the Trucker Buddy pen-pal program gives her students a meaningful and authentic reason for reading and writing, and that DeWitt became a friend to the children.
DeWitt is one of nearly 4,000 professional drivers who share their time with elementary classes throughout the world through the Trucker Buddy program. Along with her award, she will receive a personalized jacket, $200 in Trucker Buddy merchandise and a check for $300 to spend on the class. Drivers and teachers can find out more about the Trucker Buddy program by going to www.truckerbuddy.org.
