Many people believe that there is no such thing as coincidence. Scott Mallory just may agree. His legacy of service partially began with his late father, a linguist in the Air Force, who later became a disabled veteran. He was also later inspired by another veteran in 2010 to think about getting involved any way that the Mallory family could to support wounded warriors.
When asked by the veteran if he had ever visited the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Walter Reed) located in Bethesda, Maryland, he responded that his father died there. What started out as a heartwarming mission to hand out iPods to wounded veterans at Walter Reed as a Christmas gesture has grown by leaps and bounds.
Mallory’s Crownsville-based nonprofit, “Truckin 4 Troops” was incorporated in January 2011 and since that time, the nonprofit has been supporting wounded veterans from all branches with numerous needs, such as picking them up from the hospital for the first time with their family members after being discharged— in addition to helping with other requested tasks. Additionally, more feats have been accomplished.
All three of Scott and Lynne Mallory’s children have volunteered with Truckin 4 Troops for the past eight years. When Hurricane Florence left a trail of damage in North Carolina, Truckin 4 Troops hit the road to help military families and veterans. Scott, Lynne, their oldest son, Travis Mallory, and Scott’s twin brother, James Mallory, have all been helping to transport 16 campers to North Carolina.
“Our latest mission that we have been very involved in was providing campers and supplies to Marine families at Camp Lejeune that lost their homes during the Florence hurricane in North Carolina,” Scott said. “We have spent over $100,000 in campers and another $8,000 in fuel cost.”
The proactive nonprofit founder is currently paying off a loan that enabled Truckin4Troops to purchase campers for military families and veterans. Leo’s
Vacation Center and Beckley’s Camping Center were extremely helpful in the process of donating campers, and giving Truckin4Troops used trailers at wholesale costs.
“This is a life passion of mine to give back to those who have given so much,” Scott said. “Our mission is to support our military and serve our wounded veterans, every way we can!”
Truckin 4 Troops has the reputation of going the extra mile. For example, a veteran located a news story on Facebook, which led Gabriel Fernandez to reach out to Truckin 4 Troops. Assistance which was provided to improve his family’s living situation, while their home is being rebuilt, reminded him that there are still good people who care.
“Rental homes, hotels, campers and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) trailers were scarce and impossible to get after Hurricane Florence. Our home is uninhabitable and still undergoing repairs. Scott Mallory from Truckin 4 Troops picked me up in Sneads Ferry, N.C. and drove me to Maryland where the campers were more accessible. He opened up his home and introduced me to his family for a night stay over,” said Fernandez, who mentioned that Truckin 4 Troops escorted him back home to make sure that he
arrived safely in Sneads Ferry, N.C. in his motorhome. “Many people [or] businesses and even nonprofits [that] are supposed to help veterans turned me down. Truckin 4 Troops was there for me and my family, when we needed help.”
Local volunteer, Bridgette Lundfelt began lending a hand with Truckin 4 Troops after looking for a way to give back to our military service men and women. Lundfelt says in addition to addressing a variety of needs, Truckin 4 Troops has given hope, healing and life to our severely wounded veterans who could not see any hope from behind the hospital walls of Walter Reed.
“It doesn’t matter how big or small the ask is, from making sure that every grave at the Crownsville Veteran Cemetery was covered with a [Christmas] wreath, to helping veterans or service members move, to fixing their vehicles to bringing supplies and campers to military families in N.C. devastated by Hurricane Florence, etc., Truckin4Troops is there for our military community,” Lundfelt said.
For more information about Truckin 4 Troops or to make a financial donation, visit: www.truckin4troops.net. To donate gently used living room, bedroom or dining room furniture, email: truckin4troops@gmail.com if you are located in or near Anne Arundel County.