AVTA Kicks Off Stuff-A-Bus Holiday Toy Drive
A.V. residents, get ready to Stuff That Bus. The Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) Stuff-A-Bus holiday toy drive to benefit local children in need, is looking for donations of new unwrapped toys and clothing items. AVTA’s goal is to collect enough donations to “stuff” a 40-foot bus full of gifts this holiday season.
On Dec. 6, the AVTA Stuff-A-Bus will roll down Lancaster Boulevard as part of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce Christmas/Holiday Parade. Immediately following the parade, the Stuff-A-Bus will be parked in front of the Antelope Valley Mall from noon to 5 p.m. to collect donations from the community. Radio D.J.s from KMIX and the Quake will broadcast live from the event, and AVTA will have free balloons for all. The next collection event will take place on Dec. 7, at the Walmart in West Lancaster on Valley Central Way. The Stuff-A-Bus will be there from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will again have live radio broadcasts and free balloons.
“The AVTA Stuff-A-Bus has become a holiday tradition with more than 20 years of history. We are very proud of this annual effort,” said Executive Director Julie Austin. “The toy drive has become our signature fundraiser, with more donations of toys and clothing each year, and more opportunities to help a child in need.”
Stuff-A-Bus will also make an appearance on Palmdale’s “Miracle Mile” (47th Street East) as part of the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce “Grinchmas” Holiday Parade, on Dec. 13. That evening, the Stuff-A-Bus will be at the “Magical BLVD Christmas” on Lancaster Blvd. from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This will be the final collection event of the season before toys are passed out to five local charities. No time to shop? No worries. The city of Lancaster and ReMax have joined forces to ensure new toys are on hand at the “Magical BLVD Christmas,” and for a small donation, people may choose an item to stuff inside the bus.
This year, the transit agency wants to “Stuff That Bus!” with more donations than ever before. All items donated will benefit children of Grace Resource Center, South Antelope Valley Emergency Services of Palmdale, Children’s Center of the Antelope Valley, Children’s Bureau, and the Child and Family Guidance Center. Charity volunteers work hard alongside AVTA staff to ensure that the children and families they serve will have a much brighter holiday season.
