"Granny" gives back

Dianne Smith of Massillon, OH, was the random winner of a new Kenworth W900 during the Great American Insurance Group’s 2009 Big Rig Giveaway. One of 10,000 drivers registered in the contest, “Granny”, as she is called, learned she had won when she was reached by phone after her name was drawn at the Mid-America Trucking Show.

Her reaction: “Are you joking?”

No joke. And it’s no joke as to what “Granny” will do with her current rig, a Freightliner she drives with her husband of 17 years, Ron. The two have been driving for more than 30 years and have six daughters and 17 grandchildren, including two with special needs.

“Granny” and her hubby, nicknamed “Snuffy,” perform together as a musical and comedy team, participating on the road as Special Olympic Ambassadors for the state of Ohio. It’s part of their goal in life to pay it forward.

So, what will “Granny and Snuffy” do with their current truck, which they just paid off? The couple will give – that’s right, give – it to another owner-operator couple who have been struggling to make ends meet.

Thanks “Granny,” and happy driving.