The Trucker 060120

Courtesy: Convoy of Hope
Convoy of Hope, a faith-based organization from Missouri, distributes food and relief supplies
through partnerships with large food corporations, allowing the group to provide aid through
several different programs.
Features
By Sam Pierce
samp@thetruckermedia.com
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — In recent months,
truck drivers have once again earned the title
of “knights of the highway,” ensuring that supplies
reach their intended destination in the
midst of an unprecedented global pandemic.
For one Missouri-based nonprofit, that
goal of helping others in times of crisis has
never wavered.
A faith-based organization that distributes
food and relief supplies, Convoy of Hope has
partnerships with large food corporations, allowing
the group to provide aid through several different
programs.
While the convoy has offered much-needed
assistance during the COVID-19 crisis, members
of the group usually help with disaster relief
to communities that have been affected by
hurricanes or tornadoes. In addition, the nonprofit
has a rural initiative, working with local
June 1-14, 2020 • 25
Change for the better: S.H.E. Trucking founder discovers common bond
with her father as she pursues a career as a professional truck driver
Linda Garner-Bunch
lindag@thetruckermedia.com
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — “I can’t
change my past, so I decided to change my
future.” This statement by Sharae Moore,
founder of S.H.E. Trucking, touches a resonant
chord with many people, and it reflects
her outlook on her career as well as her friendships
and family relationships.
Moore and her father, Carlos Crutcher
share a unique father-daughter bond: Both
are experienced over-the-road truck drivers.
Moore is an owner-operator and drives for
Riverside Transport Inc., while Crutcher is a
company driver for Tranco Logistics. The two
achieved their career goals through very different
paths.
After working as a certified nurse assistant
for nearly a decade, at age 30 Moore decided
it was time for a change.
“I knew a guy that drove trucks, and he actually
showed me his paycheck,” she said. “I
said, ‘I want one of those!’ And so I decided to
join the trucking industry. I really didn’t know
what I was getting myself into. It was a whole
new experience.”
Another factor in Moore’s decision to make
a change in her life’s focus was the death of a
brother, 10 years earlier, when he was 30.
“Here I was, turning his age, and I was
thinking, ‘I need to do something with
my life,’” she said. “That was my turning
point, and that’s when I came to the trucking
industry.”
After seeing an advertisement for “free
CDL training,” Moore enrolled in training
through Swift Transportation.
“The training was good,” Moore said, adding
Courtesy: Sharae Moore
Sharae Moore, founder of S.H.E. Trucking, purchased a 2005 Freightliner Century earlier this
year. She drives for Riverside Transport Inc. as an owner-operator.
that she remains in touch with some of her instructors,
including Roderick Martin and Dee
Hopson.
“Roderick was a great trainer,” she said. “I
still call him and ask questions.”
Hopkins was instrumental in helping Moore
overcome what was for her the toughest part of
training — the backing maneuvers.
“None of the guys in the class wanted to
partner with us (women),” Moore said. “I said,
‘Ms. Dee, no one wants to be my teammate.’
She said, ‘It’s OK, you can be mine.’ And so
she taught me how to back, and do that 90 and
everything … and I just picked it up and got it.
“I’ve never seen somebody so proud,”
Moore continued. “When I started getting it,
she jumped up and she said, ‘You got it!’ It
made me feel so good, going from struggling
and struggling, can’t get it, feeling defeated to,
‘Oh, you got it!’”
On March 25, 2014, she earned her commercial
driver’s license and embarked on a
journey as a professional truck driver. In the
past six years, Moore has not only gained experience
and confidence as a driver; she has
also launched the S.H.E. Trucking clothing
line and Facebook group, providing encouragement
and support for women drivers.
“In the beginning it’s a struggle because
the first year or two, everyone just stares.
The men, they’ll sit there and they’ll just
wait to see what you can do,” she said. “After
a while, your confidence builds. You learn
how to maneuver your rig, back easily and
stuff like that. It’s been a really rewarding
experience.”
S.H.E. Trucking began as a merchandising
website for Moore’s T-shirts and other
apparel designed for women truckers.
“I couldn’t find any T-shirts that said I
was a female driver, a lady trucker,” she said.
As the S.H.E. Trucking clothing line
grew in popularity, so did Moore’s reputation
as a mentor for other women in the trucking
industry, as well as a source of advice for
women wanting to earn a CDL.
“They started posting on my personal
Facebook page, and I thought, ‘I need a place
for them to go,’” she said.
“That’s when I created the S.H.E. Trucking
Facebook group. And it has grown into more
than I ever imagined,” she continued. Today the
mentorship group has more than 8,000 members
and has gained an international following. In addition,
Moore and the group have been featured
in Facebook’s Community Voices spotlight
videos and hardcover book.
See S.H.E. on p26 m
A belief in the mission: Faith-based group provides relief in times of crisis
communities and nonprofits, as well as church
and other faith-based communities.
Mike Coble, safety and compliance manager
for Convoy of Hope, said the group’s workload
has increased quite bit in recent months
due to COVID-19. Churches and organizations
have reached out to the organization, asking for
trailer loads of supplies to be used for drivethru
distribution.
“Church volunteers wear masks and gloves
and load bags of groceries ... ” Coble said.
“That is happening at the churches all across
the country.”
He said the organization also has international
feeding initiatives with countries around the
world. Currently the COVID-19 pandemic is the
convoy’s only active disaster outreach, but Coble
said the organization is prepped and ready to assist
in case of additional crises.
“I know hurricane season is coming up, and
See Convoy on p28 m