Student Transportation of America school bus drivers are delivering loads of relief supplies to areas the Northresidents that are still reeling from the effects of Superstorm Sandy.
The company recently held “Stuff-the-Bus” events in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and other states to gather donations for the hardest hit areas of New Jersey Shore and New York City and the outlying area. A total of seven buses made the trek to the affected states. One of STA’s own, a bus driver out of the Lakewood, N.J., terminal was among those who were receiving supplies. The driver lost his home and car.
“He and his family are living in a shelter and need everything from toothpaste to textbooks,” said Kris Dail of STA’s Epsom, N.H., terminal. “We have a family culture here at Student Transportation. We help each other, and we have found that the people in our school communities want to help as well.”
Dail added that the outpouring of donations from communities as far exceeded the company’s expectations of stuffing one bus.
“We ended up with four 72-passenger buses completely filled with supplies,” said Dail. “I’m in awe of how this has grown.”
STA employees have taken personal time to load school buses and drive the buses stuffed with cases of bleach, boxes of garbage bags, toiletries, bedding, non-perishable food items, new clothes and shoes, school supplies an even pet food. Denise Cramer, manager of STA’s Lakewood, N.J., operations, said her team was “thrilled” to accept the items to distribute to coworkers and others impacted by the storm.
“It brings us closer,” she added. “Everyone’s looking out for each other and asking how they can help. To have people we didn’t even know jump in and do so much to help is extremely moving.
“STA is like a real family; when tragedy strikes, we’re there to help no matter what. That’s the atmosphere in this company and it’s an awesome feeling.”
Debby Murphy, Branch Manager of STA’s Ocean State Transit terminal in East Greenwich, R.I., said when their three buses arrived in Brooklyn, N.Y., filled to the windows with donated supplies, Salvation Army staff were overwhelmed with appreciation.
“They were impressed with the volume of items that everyone donated,” said Murphy. “They kept saying how they couldn’t believe all the stuff on the buses and how great it was to get things they really needed. As we unloaded, Salvation Army staff told us stories about how the storm changed their lives and how they couldn’t have made it if it weren’t for generosity of others.”
