LANCASTER – The Antelope Valley Transit Authority’s Stuff-a-Bus is coming to a stop near you!
AVTA rolled out the 2015 Stuff-a-Bus Friday. The specially decorated bus will be seen operating on various local bus routes across the Antelope Valley throughout the holiday season. The Stuff-a-Bus roll-out kicks off the transit agency’s annual holiday toy drive, with the goal of collecting enough new unwrapped toys, clothing and gifts to completely fill up the 40-foot bus.
AVTA works with several charitable organizations in the Antelope Valley, who will receive and distribute the toys and gifts collected to local children.
“Bringing joy to our neighbors and those who are in need is a great way to start the holiday season,” stated AVTA Board Chair Marvin Crist. “By donating to Stuff-a-Bus, we can help make the holidays much brighter for many families in our community.”
Stuff-a-Bus schedule
AVTA’s Stuff-a-Bus has a busy schedule in December. The bus will appear in the Lancaster and Palmdale Christmas parades, and will also provide four opportunities for people to donate new unwrapped toys and gifts.
- Volunteers ringing bells and chanting “Stuff That Bus!” will be at the West Lancaster Walmart on Valley Central Way from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5.
- Donations will be collected Sunday, Dec. 6, at the West Palmdale Walmart. The collection event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of the Walmart located on 10th Street West near Avenue O.
- On Saturday, Dec. 12, the Stuff-A-Bus will take part in “A Magical BLVD Christmas” on Lancaster Blvd. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Stuff-a-Bus will be ready and waiting for donations. The City of Lancaster and Remax have partnered to supply several thousand dollars in new toys at this event, and for a small donation, folks can choose an item to stuff inside the bus.
- The final opportunity to help “Stuff That Bus!” will be on Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Antelope Valley Mall front entrance, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Our Stuff-a-Bus toy drive is an effort that we are all proud to be a part of,” stated Executive Director Len Engel. “It’s a holiday tradition that not only helps those in need, but gives many others the opportunity to give back to the community. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
The AVTA Stuff-a-Bus was started more than 20 years ago as a way for the agency to help less fortunate children and families in the community during the holidays. This year’s event will benefit families from Grace Resource Center, the Children’s Center of the Antelope Valley, the South Antelope Valley Emergency Services (SAVES), the Child and Family Guidance Center, the Children’s Bureau of the Antelope Valley, and the Marco & Sandra Johnson Foundation.
[Information via news release from the Antelope Valley Transit Authority.]
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