The second annual ‘Stuff the Bus’ campaign by the Bethlehem Area School District’s transportation department was a huge success, collecting a bus full of toys for the U.S. Marine Reserves’ Toys for Tots’ drive, and non-perishable food, personal hygiene items and many other supplies for New Bethany Ministries. Over four weekends and at two locations, the Bethlehem Square shopping center and at SteelStacks near Christkindlmarkt, bus drivers and Marines collected thousands of toys and about $15,000 in cash donations which was used to buy additional toys, food and supplies.

“The response from the people of Bethlehem was a heart-warming and fruitful success,” said bus driver and ‘Stuff the Bus’ team leader Brenda Sciascia. “We amassed a huge amount of beautiful necessities for those in need in our city.”

Sciascia noted the purchase of items like gloves, boots, socks, undergarments, blankets, coats, backpacks, hats and more, that were provided for men, women, children and teens at New Bethany.

Sciascia said some people visited donation locations more than once. One Bethlehem resident, Phyllis Gibula, called herself the “happy senior” the day she made three trips to the Bethlehem Square location with toys, food and toiletries. Dog treats were given to the family pup when people stopped with a donation or drove by and made a cash contribution.

A very pleased Marc Rittle, executive director of New Bethany Ministries, said, “they asked us what we needed and this is very generous” as a box truck filled with supplies was unloaded at the West Fourth Street offices.

Sciascia credited the regular presence of Marines in uniform as “a major contributor to the initiative’s success.” Their participation was coordinated by Staff Sgt. Christopher Olson.

“I’m also very proud of all of my co-workers who selflessly gave of their time to brighten the lives of people in need,” Sciascia said. ‘Stuff the Bus’ ran for four weekends beginning the weekend after Thanksgiving.

BASD transportation manager Jenny Robinson noted that the second year was “immensely more successful.”

“Toys for Tots is a worthy cause and supporting an organization that supports our students and families in our schools helps,” Robinson said. She also noted that ‘Stuff the Bus’ generated interest by prospective bus drivers which helps with recruitment, as many school districts deal with a driver shortage.

“I can’t wait to do this again next year,” Sciascia said.