Kansas City, MO — Truckers Final Mile announced on September 10, 2026 that it is accepting donations for its annual Sleight Bells and Santa program, a holiday effort that supplies gifts to children of truck drivers who have died, been seriously injured, or become seriously ill.
The charity was founded to bridge the gap between the trucking community and families facing loss. When a driver passes far from home, families often lack a support network that understands the unique hardships of life on the road. Truckers Final Mile steps in to provide emotional and financial assistance, a mission that has resonated with owner‑operators and fleet managers alike.Since 2015 the Sleight Bells and Santa program has targeted kids 18 or younger who lost a truck‑driver parent within the previous twelve months. Founder Robert Palm, an OOIDA life member who has hauled freight since 1981, explains that the holidays can feel empty for a child without a dad. Palm’s own story includes retrieving the body of his stepbrother Joey Miller in 1995, surviving a severe crash a year later, and a 2010 hospitalization for a ruptured appendix. Those experiences drove him to create a nonprofit that offers tangible care when a family’s world collapses.
What This Means for Drivers
Drivers now have a clear channel to nominate eligible children, ensuring that no family slips through the cracks during the season. Contributions can be made online, at truck stops, or through carrier‑sponsored fundraisers, giving CDL‑A drivers and owner‑operators a simple way to give back. The program also strengthens camaraderie among OTR truck driver crews, as they rally around a common cause. By supporting the initiative, drivers demonstrate that the industry looks out for its own, which can improve morale and retention across the board.
Industry Reaction
OOIDA members have praised the effort, noting that the trucking community thrives when it backs its own. Land Line magazine highlighted Palm’s interview in 2020, calling the program a “lifeline for grieving families.” Several regional carriers have pledged to match employee donations, turning the appeal into a broader industry campaign. The response underscores a growing awareness that driver welfare extends beyond the cab and into the home.
Key Points
- Truckers Final Mile seeks donations for its holiday Sleight Bells and Santa program as of September 10, 2026.
- The program, launched in 2015, serves children 18 or younger who lost a truck‑driver parent in the past year.
- Founder Robert Palm’s personal tragedies inspired the nonprofit’s focus on family support.
- OOIDA members and multiple carriers have pledged matching contributions, amplifying the fundraising push.
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