A Brave New Heart on the Road: Simone Gray Joins the Rosebud Tradition
Some drivers come to Mercer looking for a fresh start. Others arrive with years of experience behind them. And every now and then, someone like Simone Gray comes along—new to Mercer and yet fully committed to making an impact from the very start.
Simone Gray, of Fishers, Indiana, has only been driving with Mercer for seven months. In a market that’s been challenging for even seasoned drivers, her and her partner’s decision to step out on their own wasn’t just bold—it was brave. With a strong support system coming from her partner, she felt confident that their journey would be fruitful. “We were just trying to venture out on our own,” Simone said. “We didn’t want to be micromanaged, so we decided to buy a truck.”
“It’s amazing,” Simone said. “I truly love this company. I love what they do and what they represent. And I am honored.”
Her journey brought her to Mercer by way of a friend’s recommendation, and her timing couldn’t have been more meaningful. When her Mercer coordinator, Sarah Newton, told her about the annual donation drive to South Dakota’s Rosebud Indian Reservation, Simone didn’t hesitate. “She told me about it, and I was truly on board,” she said. “That’s something I love to do.”
Carrying More Than Freight
Each year, Mercer plays a small but vital role in a much larger effort—a mission started decades ago by a compassionate young girl and sustained by volunteers like Simone. The trailer Simone will deliver is filled with donations that will go directly to families living on the Rosebud Reservation, where resources are scarce and the need is great. It’s a tradition rooted in service, love, and resilience—and Simone is now part of it.
Despite being a Mercer rookie, Simone carries herself with the heart of a seasoned veteran. Her quiet strength, soft-spoken humility, and deep faith shine through in every word she shares. “I think it’s a gift from God,” she said of the opportunity to serve. “When you open your heart to accept people… to share your love and kindness… they feel comfortable and content. It matters.”
More Than a Trip, A Calling
This isn’t Simone’s first time giving back. Before becoming a truck driver, she volunteered in her Florida community, and that same spirit is what moved her to accept the Rosebud haul without hesitation. She’s already thinking about next year, and how she might continue being part of this powerful tradition.
“I would really, really like to be a part of this yearly,” she said.
At Mercer, we know that being a driver isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. And when that calling meets compassion, generosity, and courage, it becomes something extraordinary. Simone represents exactly that. Her willingness to step up, even as she’s just getting started, reminds us that true leadership doesn’t come with tenure. It comes with heart.
Thank You, Simone
To Simone: thank you. Thank you for answering the call. Thank you for trusting us with you and your partner’s journey. And thank you for carrying not just a trailer of supplies—but a legacy of love and hope—across the country.
We are proud to have you on the Mercer team. And we’re even prouder to know that the future of this meaningful tradition is in such good hands.