On the Road to Give Back: Idella’s Journey
By: Eden Bollschweiler
Idella Hansen, a seasoned truck driver with over 54 years of experience, always knew she belonged on the open road. “I started when I was a very young lady, driving vehicles since I was 11 years old,” Idella says with a grin. It was during these formative years that the seeds of her remarkable journey were sown.
Idella’s journey through life is a testament to the enduring power of community bonds and the indomitable spirit of helping those in need. Idella grew up in a close-knit small town, influenced profoundly by her grandmother’s passion for church and community involvement. Idella knows that her drive to give back comes from her Grandma: “It just kind of passed on, and I am very community-minded.”
Over the years, Idella’s life path has evolved – taking her from a truck driver to a safety director, to a bookkeeper and charity board member. Throughout her different careers, her commitment to community service grew stronger. Her driving force?
“It’s about doing what you can for others when they can’t do for themselves in many, many capacities,” she explains with a sense of purpose that radiates through her words.
Idella serves her community through a variety of nonprofits, volunteer organizations, and advocacy groups that all intertwine to help communities through trucking. Recently at CDL TEAR (Truckers Emergency Assistance Responders), Idella, the current vice president, came to the aid of a young man stranded in a snowbank, abandoned by his carrier while on a long-haul trip. Idella and CDL Tear stepped in to provide immediate help, securing a motel room and ensuring he had the funds for a bus ticket to reunite with his family.
Idella is a founding member of Real Women In Trucking, an advocacy group dedicated to addressing highway safety issues through leadership, mentorship, education, and advocacy. Real Women in Trucking recently advocated for Jason’s Law, a critical initiative aimed at improving rest areas and safety for truck drivers.
Idella also drives trucks to unite families and spread joy as a member of the nonprofits Truckers Christmas Group and Operation Roger. Truckers Christmas Group helps families fallen on hard times during the holiday season through fundraising efforts, so they can celebrate together with less fear of finances. Operation Roger uses trucking to reunite stranded pets with their families and provide transportation for adopted and rehomed pets. Throughout her time at both nonprofits, Idella draws on her past experiences to show compassion to others.
“Over all the years everything that has happened to me and what I’ve done and haven’t done has only prepared me to help people – other people with the same problems.”
From the road to families’ homes, Idella always finds a use for her talents and shows compassion to serve those fallen on hard times. She shows that no matter who we are or what we do, we can find ways to better the lives of those in our communities.
Doing Good had the privilege of speaking with Idella about her volunteer experience on the Doing Good podcast. Listen to the full interview on Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon, or Red Circle.
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