AVTA Ringing In Holiday Cheer with "Stuff-a-Bus" Toy Drive for Kids

Beginning Saturday December 2, Santa's helpers will be heard chanting "Stuff That Bus!!" and ringing their bells to make sure the children and families they serve have a much brighter holiday season. The Antelope Valley Transit Authority Stuff-A-Bus holiday toy drive is once again collecting donations of new unwrapped toys, clothing and gifts for children ages 0-18. For more than 20 years, this annual event has brought joy to the hearts of local children in need during the holidays by collecting enough toys and clothes to fill their specially decorated allelectric 40-foot bus to the roof. All items donated will stay here 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, Antelope Valley Partners for Health, the Child and Family Guidance Center and the Marco & Sandra Johnson Foundation.

Nearly 30 businesses helped AVTA to raise $22,000 to help purchase toys and gifts for the holiday drive. "The generosity of our major sponsors Walmart, BYD, Transdev, High Desert Medical Group, Avail Technologies, Jethawks, Moore and Associates and OpSec Security makes a huge impact in the lives of many local families," said AVTA Board Chair Marvin Crist. "We also welcome new sponsors Duke Engineering, SUTRAK and Taft Electric, whose contributions will help make AVTA’s Stuff-a-Bus a huge success."

The cities of Lancaster and Palmdale are getting into the action by hosting special events to support AVTA’s Stuff-a-Bus. The City of Palmdale is again asking its employees to donate to Stuff-a-Bus, and has pledged to collect at least 400 toys and gifts, while the City of Lancaster and Re/Max will join AVTA at "A Magical BLVD Christmas" on December 9.

This year, the transit agency wants to “Stuff That Bus!” with more donations than ever before, and will be kicking off the toy drive on Saturday, December 2, by taking part in the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce "Celebrating the Decades" Christmas Parade. Immediately following the parade, the Stuff-A-Bus will be parked in front of the Antelope Valley Mall in Palmdale from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and anyone who donates a new unwrapped gift will receive a free coupon for Dog Haus (while supplies last). High Desert Broadcasting will be live at the event, and on Sunday, December 3, the West Palmdale Walmart will host the Stuff-a-Bus from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in front of its store on 10th Street West, with live music and free balloons for all.

“This is the perfect time of year to bring the magic of the holidays to others,” said AVTA Executive Director Len Engel. “We provide a service to the community every day, but the holidays are when we try to do something special for those who need it most. It’s AVTA’s way of promoting goodwill and caring within the community.”