Lancaster – Santa Claus arrived in the Antelope Valley a little earlier than usual this year, bringing thousands of unwrapped toys, clothing and gift items to several local organizations who provide services to kids in need. After weeks of ringing bells, collecting toys and chanting “Stuff That Bus!”, the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) Stuff-a-Bus Holiday Toy Drive wrapped up its annual event by turning Santa’s sleigh into an 100% battery electric bus and visiting each location to hand-deliver the toys from Santa himself.
“AVTA has been bringing the holiday spirit to children in the Antelope Valley for over 20 years with its Stuff-a-Bus Holiday Toy Drive, and we are always so grateful for the generosity of this community, especially towards our youth,” said AVTA Board Chair Marvin Crist. “Every child deserves to have a new toy for Christmas, and with the help of our wonderful sponsors and local residents there are many local children in need who will have a much brighter holiday.”
The 40-foot AVTA Stuff-a-Bus was close to bursting with more toys and clothing donated this year than ever before. Everything collected by the agency will be delivered to Grace Resources, South Antelope Valley Emergency Services (SAVES), the Child and Family Guidance Center, the Children’s Center of the Antelope Valley, the Antelope Valley Partners for Health, and the Marco and Sandra Johnson Foundation, and will be distributed by them at various events throughout the holidays. Each of the charities sent volunteers who worked tirelessly alongside AVTA staff at all of the Stuff-a-Bus events to ensure a highly successful outcome.
“Our partnership with these charitable organizations is a key component of the Stuff-a-Bus toy drive, and without them it would not be possible,” said AVTA CEO Macy Neshati. “The volunteers that participate with us at the events bring an unsurpassed level of energy and enthusiasm which really spotlights what we’re trying to do, and engages people to join in and donate what they can.”
Major sponsors of this year’s toy drive included Walmart, Transdev, High Desert Medical Group, OpSec Security, Lancaster JetHawks, Learn4Life, Duke Engineering, Taft Electric and Custom Coach Works. The Stuff-a-Bus also received large contributions from several AV groups, including toys from the Palmdale Elementary Teachers Association, Quartz Hill Pony League Baseball and 30 bicycles and helmets from the Antelope Valley Sheriff’s Boosters.
“One of the greatest things about the Antelope Valley is the sense of community, and it’s wonderful to see so many of our local businesses and organizations working together to support the AVTA in its efforts,” said Assemblyman Tom Lackey. “I commend everyone involved with the Stuff-a-Bus Toy Drive for the great work they do to help our local children in need this holiday season.”
Both Lackey and the newly elected Palmdale Mayor Steve Hofbauer were on hand Wednesday afternoon, when Santa and the Stuff-a-Bus arrived at SAVES in Palmdale to unload over 25 bags of toys and clothes, bicycles and helmets, gift cards, and a big dose of warm holiday wishes to all.
“The AVTA Stuff-a-Bus Holiday Toy Drive has been a success for more than 20 years, thanks to support from the business community, residents and local charity volunteers, who step up year after year to help without hesitation,” said Mayor Hofbauer, who is also on the AVTA Board of Directors. “It’s always one of my favorite events, and as a Board member I’m proud to be part of it.”
AVTA provides local, commuter and dial-a-ride service to a population of more than 450,000 residents in the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale as well as the unincorporated portions of northern Los Angeles County. Its total service area covers 1,200 square miles and it is bounded by the Kern County line to the north, the San Bernardino County line to the east, the Angeles National Forest to the south, and Interstate 5 to the West.
“AVTA has been bringing the holiday spirit to children in the Antelope Valley for over 20 years with its Stuff-a-Bus Holiday Toy Drive, and we are always so grateful for the generosity of this community, especially towards our youth,” said AVTA Board Chair Marvin Crist. “Every child deserves to have a new toy for Christmas, and with the help of our wonderful sponsors and local residents there are many local children in need who will have a much brighter holiday.”
The 40-foot AVTA Stuff-a-Bus was close to bursting with more toys and clothing donated this year than ever before. Everything collected by the agency will be delivered to Grace Resources, South Antelope Valley Emergency Services (SAVES), the Child and Family Guidance Center, the Children’s Center of the Antelope Valley, the Antelope Valley Partners for Health, and the Marco and Sandra Johnson Foundation, and will be distributed by them at various events throughout the holidays. Each of the charities sent volunteers who worked tirelessly alongside AVTA staff at all of the Stuff-a-Bus events to ensure a highly successful outcome.
“Our partnership with these charitable organizations is a key component of the Stuff-a-Bus toy drive, and without them it would not be possible,” said AVTA CEO Macy Neshati. “The volunteers that participate with us at the events bring an unsurpassed level of energy and enthusiasm which really spotlights what we’re trying to do, and engages people to join in and donate what they can.”
Major sponsors of this year’s toy drive included Walmart, Transdev, High Desert Medical Group, OpSec Security, Lancaster JetHawks, Learn4Life, Duke Engineering, Taft Electric and Custom Coach Works. The Stuff-a-Bus also received large contributions from several AV groups, including toys from the Palmdale Elementary Teachers Association, Quartz Hill Pony League Baseball and 30 bicycles and helmets from the Antelope Valley Sheriff’s Boosters.
“One of the greatest things about the Antelope Valley is the sense of community, and it’s wonderful to see so many of our local businesses and organizations working together to support the AVTA in its efforts,” said Assemblyman Tom Lackey. “I commend everyone involved with the Stuff-a-Bus Toy Drive for the great work they do to help our local children in need this holiday season.”
Both Lackey and the newly elected Palmdale Mayor Steve Hofbauer were on hand Wednesday afternoon, when Santa and the Stuff-a-Bus arrived at SAVES in Palmdale to unload over 25 bags of toys and clothes, bicycles and helmets, gift cards, and a big dose of warm holiday wishes to all.
“The AVTA Stuff-a-Bus Holiday Toy Drive has been a success for more than 20 years, thanks to support from the business community, residents and local charity volunteers, who step up year after year to help without hesitation,” said Mayor Hofbauer, who is also on the AVTA Board of Directors. “It’s always one of my favorite events, and as a Board member I’m proud to be part of it.”
AVTA provides local, commuter and dial-a-ride service to a population of more than 450,000 residents in the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale as well as the unincorporated portions of northern Los Angeles County. Its total service area covers 1,200 square miles and it is bounded by the Kern County line to the north, the San Bernardino County line to the east, the Angeles National Forest to the south, and Interstate 5 to the West.
