LANCASTER –The Antelope Valley Transit Authority is working to stuff a 40-foot bus with new toys and new clothing this holiday season and the effort is now twice as big as last year.
The AVTA Stuff-a-Bus will collect toys on two days instead of just one in an effort to gather more toys and clothing for needy children of the Antelope Valley.
AVTA’s Stuff-a-Bus will be accepting donations on Saturday, December 1, from noon until 5 p.m. in front of the West Lancaster WalMart on Valley Central Way.
The following Saturday, the Stuff-a-Bus will be in front of the Antelope Valley Mall from noon to 5:00 p.m. The mall will be giving away a $5 gift card to anyone who donates a $10 unwrapped toy or clothing item to AVTA’s Stuff-a-Bus.
All donated toys and clothing will be distributed among local non-profit agencies including Grace Resource Center, the Children’s Center of the Antelope Valley, South Antelope Valley Emergency Services, Children’s Bureau of the Antelope Valley and the Child and Family Guidance Center. Volunteers from all of the Stuff-a-Bus charities will be on hand both Saturdays to help collect donations.
KMIX radio and the EDGE will have live DJ’s at the collection sites, encouraging residents to stop by and donate an unwrapped toy or new clothing item.
“AVTA has been sponsoring this annual toy drive for 20 years,” said Executive Director Julie Austin. “We are proud to continue the tradition of fulfilling some of the holiday wishes of needy children this holiday season.”
For the first time ever, AVTA’s Stuff-a-Bus will be visible on valley streets during the month of December. AVTA has decorated one of its new hybrid buses which will continue to provide local service on various bus routes throughout the Antelope Valley.
“Look for the bus that is decorated with toys and sponsor logos all over it,” stated Chairman of the Board Norm Hickling. “We are excited to share the Stuff-a-Bus with residents and are proud to be a community partner that is striving to make a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate.”
Residents don’t have to wait until the Stuff-a-Bus event to donate. New toys and new clothing are currently being accepted at out AVTA offices, located at 42210 6th Street West in Lancaster.
For more information on how you can donate to this toy drive, contact Wendy Williams at 729-2239 or e-mail at wwilliams@avta.com.
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