Sikeston-area truckers provide Christmas gifts to needy children

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A group of Sikeston-area truck drivers says helping provide toys to local children has become a tradition for them, and their kindness is beginning to catch on within the community.

In its first year nine years ago, Truckers for Kids served 12 children in Southeast Missouri. Last year the family-run not-for-profit organization supplied 128 children from 28 schools with Christmas gifts. Children from several counties including Scott, New Madrid, Mississippi and Stoddard have benefitted over the years.

Diane Cook of Morehouse, Mo., recalled how the organization formed.

"It got started because a family needed help at Christmas, and since my husband, Preston, is a truck driver, his friends heard about it and started sending money to help," Cook said. "It blossomed from there."

Cook, who works for the Sikeston trucking company Pullen Brothers Inc., said her boss, Jerry Pullen, initially started the funding for the program.

Cook said she learns of children in need through school counselors and teachers. The school personnel -- with permission from families -- fill out a form and send back information on a family in need, she said.

Each child receives an outfit, hat and gloves, and scarf if possible, toys, underwear, toothbrush, toothpaste and a goody bag with fruit and candy.

Gifts are delivered to recipients' homes usually around the second week of December. Cook said they often try to deliver the gifts during the day before children get home from school, but it doesn't always work that way.

"Last year we delivered to a family who was living in a farm shed," Cook said. "The little boy didn't believe in Santa anymore. We came up and knocked on the door, and the boy said: ‘Who are you?'"

Cook said she told the boy Santa Claus told her he'd been good.

"He turned to his mother and said: ‘Mom! It's true!'" Cook recalled.

Cook said there is definitely a need for a program like this in the area. It's sometimes heartbreaking reading the children's requests, which range from socks and underwear to a box of band aids and a mattress to sleep on at night, she said.

Cook's daughter, Toni Cook, said what makes Truckers for Kids different from other campaigns that supply children with Christmas gifts is the personal touch Truckers for Kids puts into purchasing the gifts.

"We have the schools get detailed information about what the children want for Christmas," Toni Cook said. "... We do get personal and find out what the child likes. We actually find out their interests -- whether its wrestling, Barbies or NASCAR -- and try to get them something they're wanting."

Toni Cook said she assists her mother with the organization, including shopping for gifts.

"Normally we'll take a day, and we each take a list and go to a certain department where boys and girls and get proper size of clothing and pick out toys they like. We take another night and wrap all the presents," she said.

Seeing the children's faces as they receive their presents is what keeps her helping each year.

"It really opens up your eyes. I have a 15- and 12-year-old who help, too," Toni Cook said.

Because her children and other child family members know the trends, they help find gifts children will love, Toni Cook said. Her children also take a day out of school to help deliver the presents, she said.

"It gives them a new concept on life," Toni Cook said. "...We all take for granted what we've got. When a kid asks for a mattress to sleep on or they just ask for a nice shirt to wear to school so they don't get made fun of, it makes you see -- and it makes our kids see -- they are very lucky."

In addition to providing joy to local children, the recipients' parents also benefit, according to Toni Cook.

"It's a huge relief to parents who don't think they're going to provide anything that year," she said.

The primary source of donations is from truckers, both independent contractors and businesses, and a repeat list of contributors are contacted each year for donations, Diane Cook said. But public donations are always welcome.

"Money is always needed, but if you can't give money, then we can always use basketballs, footballs, baby dolls or anything like that," Cook said.

While it is a lot of work and time-consuming to help organize Truckers for Kids, Cook said it's easy to get motivated each year.

"I keep doing this because I am so blessed to be able to help other people and give them a Christmas like I'm fortunate to give my family," Cook said. "It seems like donations get slim, but God keeps making a way."

For more information about Truckers for Kids or donations, contact Diane Cook at 573-471-7896.

Pertinent address:

Sikeston, Mo.