AVTA Continues Holiday Tradition with "Stuff-a-Bus" Toy Drive
The Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) all-electric Stuff-a-Bus is moving full speed ahead with its annual holiday toy drive. AVTA’s staff and charity volunteers have been busy collecting donations of new toys and clothing items for local children in need this holiday season. Their goal is to collect enough toys, clothing, and other gifts to fill the bus to the roof. With nearly $34,000 donated by community business sponsors to help purchase items for the toy drive, the bus is bursting with holiday cheer and the transit agency is more than halfway towards its goal.
The record number of toys and gifts collected so far would not have been possible without the generous support of major sponsors like Walmart, BYD, AVTA’s operations contractor Transdev, High Desert Medical Group, Moore and Associates, Lancaster Jethawks, Complete Coach Works and Opsec Security, who collectively donated more than half of the overall total cash raised to purchase gifts for the Valley’s less fortunate children.
The cities of Lancaster and Palmdale are also getting into the action by hosting special events to support AVTA’s Stuff-a-Bus. The City of Palmdale is again challenging its employees to donate to Stuff- a-Bus with a fun contest, and has pledged to collect at least 400 toys and gifts, while officials from the City of Lancaster and Re/Max will join forces on a shopping excursion this week to help "Stuff That Bus!" even more!
"Bringing joy to our neighbors and those who are in need is a great way to spend the holiday season," said AVTA Board Chair Marvin Crist. "By donating to Stuff-a-Bus, we can help make the holidays much brighter for many children and families right here in the Antelope Valley."
There is still room in the bus for more, and the agency hopes to fill in the gaps this weekend with two more opportunities for AV residents to donate to AVTA’s Stuff-a-Bus. On Saturday, December 10, the Stuff-A-Bus will take part in the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce William J. "Pete" Knight “Hometown Heroes” Christmas Parade. Later that same day, the bus will be part of "A Magical BLVD Christmas" on Lancaster Blvd. From 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the Stuff-a-Bus will be ready and waiting for donations of new unwrapped toys and clothing. A large quantity of new toys will be on hand at this event, courtesy of Re/Max and the City of Lancaster. 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, December 11th, at the West Lancaster Walmart front entrance, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Residents can also stop by Palmdale City Hall or AVTA, Monday through Thursday between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. until December 14, to drop off a donation.
"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."
All items donated will stay in the Antelope Valley, and will benefit children from Grace Resource Center, South Antelope Valley Emergency Services of Palmdale (SAVES), Children’s Center of the Antelope Valley, Children’s Bureau, the Child and Family Guidance Center and the Marco & Sandra Johnson Foundation. Volunteers from each charity, along with AVTA staff members, will gather in the AVTA Community Room on December 14 at 1:00 p.m. for the Bagging Party, to bag up all of the donated toys and clothes. Each charity will be prepared to haul their goodies away for final distribution to the families they serve. The public is welcome to attend.
