Kerry Mullins

What happens when a group of truck drivers, volunteers, a young man from a small town and a charity set their minds on something? Mountains get moved.

Vickie Ewert contacted Trucker Charity Friday with a unique problem. Vickie's an Owner Operator Expediter out on her own, living on the road for 3 months at a time. She's in Meadville Pa. but lives in Spooner Wi., 900 miles away, and she has to get herself and her truck home for the long journey to recovery. A recovery from a broken hip suffered at the receiver after falling on the ice.

The folks at Trucker Charity put their collective minds together and come up with a plan of action... It fell through. Vickie could not take a bus or a plane because of her injury. She had to be able to stop every hour to move about to prevent blood clots. Not possible in a bus or a plane since she wasn't sure on her feet yet and, what about her truck? So they come up with another plan, it fell through... They couldn't coordinate a driver to pick up a volunteer in Wi that was on route to somewhere Pa. They had driver volunteer to pick up Vickie and her truck and drive her back home. They had found a driver in the area but missed a connection by 3 hours.

Debbie Tucker, the most recent member of Trucker Charity and recent beneficiary of the charity's yearly Christmas Group had a brainstorm. She called around looking for a volunteer and found a young man of just 20 yrs old, Logan Taylor who attends Debbie's church. Logan came highly recommended as a responsible young man who could do the job. We were to get Logan out to Vickie and he would drive her truck back to IL where a couple from Vickie's home town who volunteered some time would meet them and take her the rest of the way home, then we'd get Logan back home. This would allow Vickie to get her breaks in, get her and her truck home.

Now comes the tricky part, the timing and the funding, Vickie gets officially released Monday morning. At the beginning it was going to cost $1,000. Trucker Charity is known for squeezing a dollar out of a dime, they've had to because they don't solicit government funding and rely solely on word of mouth, networking and a web store for their funding. OOIDA member, TCI Secretary, Kerry Mullins and Debbie started crunching numbers, checking bus and train schedules, figuring out times and checking with Vickie for the okay to proceed. They call on fellow drivers/OOIDA members to help fund the operation and they come through. All done but the doing...

The trip for Logan consisted of a train ride from Galesburg IL to Chicago with a 10 hour layover, then a train ride from there to Erie. Then he was to walk 1.5 miles to the bus stop (dollars out of dimes, no taxi) where he'd take an hour ride to Meadville PA. There he would have to walk another 11 blocks since the bus driver wouldn't drop him off at the hospital that they were passing.

We call Vickie and tell her he's on the bus and on his way, and then gas is thrown on the fire. Vickie's Dr won't release her without the shot needed to combat the clotting. She hasn't any insurance or money to pay for it, it's quite pricey. We get on the phone with the nurses and wrangle with them for a couple of sample doses for Vickie for her ride home. Shots in the stomach, ouch, fire put out.

As the trip went on we all kept in touch with Vickie and Logan to make sure everything was going as planned. The hand off in Rockford went as planned except we found out they took the toll road all the way across (dollars into dimes, dangit) but with Vickie being cooped up like that it was for the best, quickest way to finish the trip.

Vickie arrived safely at home Tuesday and called to express her gratitude to all that came to the aid of a fellow driver. We gave her information on where to get help with her meds, called the Salvation Army and was able to get her two nights in a hotel (ground floor, her Son's apartment isn't) and contacts with other local help. To add to the problems she faces at home both her children, a son and daughter, are in casts as well. It hasn't been a very good winter for Vicky's family.

Logan volunteered his time without ever asking what was in it for him. At Trucker Charity we do what we can do with what we got and somehow it seems to get done, we can't always help everyone but when we can we do. Speaking of life experiences, what did Logan think of it? Well, we asked him if he had ever thought of a career in trucking, his response was, "Not until now". It looks like we have the making of a future highway hero. Maybe we can help. It does get in your blood.


Trucker Charity is a 501(c)(3) organization which specializes in "Get'm safe, Get'm fed and Get'm home".
TruckerCharity.ORG


Trucker Charity Inc.
PO Box 276
Summerfield IL 62289
(888)523-0087

The first time I exited at exit 86 on I5 in Azalea Oregon, it was a snowy, cold and generally nasty evening in the early 1990's. All I was looking for was a place to rest where no one would harass me, and a safe place where I could hide from the horrible weather. What I found was a gem hidden in the lovely mountains of southern Oregon that I will always remember. Every chance I get, I tell people about the cafe with the amazing meals and baked goods.

In the year 2000 I brought my new wife to experience the wonders of the gigantic cinnamon rolls and bread bowl soups. As we crossed Heaven on Earth's threshold that evening my new bride only said one word. 'Wow!' The intense aroma of cinnamon and fresh baked bread filled the atmosphere and instantly created an appetite that could only be quenched one way. Karen decided to have a bread bowl full of fresh homemade pea and ham soup. After our appetites were sated, we then gathered many tasty items for friends and family to give as gifts. The apple butter and jams, made there on the premises, were perfect to give as unique offerings. Our last purchase was a massive cinnamon roll. This huge cinnamon roll, the size of a birthday cake, was going to be the centerpiece of our meal with some dear friends in Arlington, Washington.

Heaven on Earth is a place to visit every chance you get. The atmosphere is unique, the food is amazing, and the experience will be something you never forget. Heaven on Earth's staff is cheerful, helpful, and happy to serve you. Rose, the manager, will make sure everything is absolutely perfect. If you are a truck driver, make sure you ask for the driver's discount. Don't forget to try the free samples of baked goods. The homemade marion berry jam and the apple butter are right there on the table for you to put on your fresh baked biscuits. The experience is something you will not soon forget.

Since 1973 Heaven on Earth has been providing high quality food to travelers and locals alike. It is a well known location with signature gigantic cinnamon rolls, fresh homemade food, homemade marion berry jam, homemade apple butter and even the sausage gravy was made right there in the kitchen. No packet gravy here! On my latest visit to the Heaven on Earth Restaurant the staff was, as usual, extremely helpful. Rose, the manager, was busily preparing trays of cinnamon rolls to take to the crew of ABC's very popular TV show "Extreme Home Makeover". The Heaven on Earth Restaurant was asked to help cater for the "Extreme Home Makeover" crew as they demolished and then raised a new home for C.J. and Lindsay McPhail, founders of the Southern Oregon chapter of Sparrow Clubs. The purpose of the Sparrows Club is to match children with special medical needs with schools that "adopt" them.

Whether you are a truck driver looking for an excellent meal, or a motorist passing through, The Heaven on Earth Restaurant is worth a visit. Keep in mind that the meals are generous and the food wholesome, so come hungry, you definitely will not be disappointed.

The Heaven on Earth Restaurant and Bakery are known throughout Oregon as having the finest quality goods made right there in Azalea, Oregon. Everything is amazingly tasty with wholesome homemade goodness!

Heaven on Earth Restaurant 703 Quines Creek Rd Azalea, OR, 97410 (541) 837-3700 HeavenOnEarth.com

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