Aggie Shuttle Part of Donation Team

From the Utah Statesman (12/6/02)

Their goal is to Stuff a Bus with toys, clothing and goods for those who are less fortunate around Cache Valley.

 

Lora Wight, assistant director for Sub for Santa, said, "Donations thus far have been down from previous years, but that was expected because of the economy."

 

Last year, when Ron Bushman, LTD manager, approached Mary Ann Anderson, Sub for Santa director, with the idea, they thought it was a great idea, Wight said.

 

"It has been one of the wonderful things to have happened to us," she said.

 

Bushman said, "Alden Erickson [Aggie Shuttle supervisor] contacted me and got us really motivated and excited to help out."

 

Erickson said it took the Aggie Shuttle program about a year to think things over before starting the project.

 

Wight said last year, with the help of the Stuff a Bus, Sub for Santa was able to serve 402 families, 1,202 children, and 160 senior citizens in Cache County.

 

Erickson said, "Last year it took about 15 minutes for 12 to 15 people to unload two buses. Now [Associated Students of USU] is involved, and it is more of a student activity."

 

Bushman said totals from Monday and Tuesday of this week were about $400 and about 10 gifts.

 

"For the rest of this week and next, we will be accepting items and donations," he said. "Just get us the goods, and we will get it where it needs to go."

 

Wight said, "They [bus drivers] are just so cheerful and positive about the entire thing."

 

Tyler Tew, a sophomore flight major, said, "I think it is great how they are allowing us students to get involved. Even though we don't have much, we can always dig for some spare change."

 

Bushman said the Stuff a Bus system works great, because everyone knows where the bus stations are.

 

"It is an easier and more convenient way for people to get us things," he said.

 

The LTD plans on continuing this for many years to come, Bushman said.

 

Melanie Hill, a sophomore business major, said, "I like how everyone is working together to help people out during the holidays. I ride the shuttle every day up to campus, and I think it is exciting that we get to help."

 

Rory Bennett, a junior marketing major, drives the Aggie Shuttle buses.

 

"We appreciate what has been given but would like to see the students dig a little deeper," he said.

 

By Staci Peterson; stacipete@cc.usu.edu

Photo by K'Leena Murphy