thedrifter
11-29-08, 07:30 AM
Nov 29, 2008
Vehicle of generosity gets rolling
‘Stuff the Bus’ collects donated toys
By George Barnes TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
gbarnes@telegram.com
LEOMINSTER— Matt Ward and his crew of volunteers were not able to stuff a bus yesterday, but they collected a pretty good pile of toys to give to children in some of the region’s financially struggling families.
Mr. Ward, owner of Central Mass. Web Design in Gardner, set up shop in the Mall at Whitney Field. Working with a group of volunteers that included his employees, their children, several Marines and a jolly old man dressed in red, they collected more than 250 toys from shoppers out buying gifts for their families on Black Friday. The toys will be donated to the Marine Toys for Tots program.
“This is a good cause and it’s a really good feeling to know you are involved with a great organization,” Mr. Ward said as he watched shoppers — assisted by Marines from Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine
Regiment based in Devens — donate an extra toy or two they bought in the nearby Toys R Us store or some other business in the mall.
Mr. Ward said his company has been building regional Web sites for the Toys for Tots program for four years. They donate the creation of a Web site each year to one community nonprofit organization. The company was a sponsor of the Mount Wachusett Community College business plan competition designed to help local businesses get their start. Looking for another way to contribute to the community, he met with staff members and they decided on a toy collection.
Mr. Ward came up with the name, printed “Stuff the Bus” sweatshirts for his employees, contacted the Marines and Santa, and got permission to set up in the Mall at Whitney Field’s parking lot near Toys R Us.
Joining him were Marine Staff Sgt. Mark Luby, Sgt. Estela Sagredo, Gunnery Sgt. James Guzman and Lance Cpl. Brandin Andrews, Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman Rick Deang, who is assigned to the Marines, as well as Santa and seven Central Mass. Web Design employees. Volunteers collected toys at the bus, which was donated by First Student Bus Co. of Fitchburg, and went into the mall and stores to let shoppers know about the opportunity to donate to the cause. Mall management also coordinated a spot for the bus to be parked and for tables to be set up.
The shoppers donated toys suitable for all ages, including Tonka trucks, board games, a Hannah Montana doll, a Fisher-Price medical kit, and many other gifts, large and small. Toys for Tots collects gifts for children from birth to 15 years old.
Mr. Ward said his goal was to fill the bus to overflowing, but he was happy with the response from shoppers, especially since it is the first year.
“There were a lot of nice people helping us out,” he said.
Ellie
Vehicle of generosity gets rolling
‘Stuff the Bus’ collects donated toys
By George Barnes TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
gbarnes@telegram.com
LEOMINSTER— Matt Ward and his crew of volunteers were not able to stuff a bus yesterday, but they collected a pretty good pile of toys to give to children in some of the region’s financially struggling families.
Mr. Ward, owner of Central Mass. Web Design in Gardner, set up shop in the Mall at Whitney Field. Working with a group of volunteers that included his employees, their children, several Marines and a jolly old man dressed in red, they collected more than 250 toys from shoppers out buying gifts for their families on Black Friday. The toys will be donated to the Marine Toys for Tots program.
“This is a good cause and it’s a really good feeling to know you are involved with a great organization,” Mr. Ward said as he watched shoppers — assisted by Marines from Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine
Regiment based in Devens — donate an extra toy or two they bought in the nearby Toys R Us store or some other business in the mall.
Mr. Ward said his company has been building regional Web sites for the Toys for Tots program for four years. They donate the creation of a Web site each year to one community nonprofit organization. The company was a sponsor of the Mount Wachusett Community College business plan competition designed to help local businesses get their start. Looking for another way to contribute to the community, he met with staff members and they decided on a toy collection.
Mr. Ward came up with the name, printed “Stuff the Bus” sweatshirts for his employees, contacted the Marines and Santa, and got permission to set up in the Mall at Whitney Field’s parking lot near Toys R Us.
Joining him were Marine Staff Sgt. Mark Luby, Sgt. Estela Sagredo, Gunnery Sgt. James Guzman and Lance Cpl. Brandin Andrews, Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman Rick Deang, who is assigned to the Marines, as well as Santa and seven Central Mass. Web Design employees. Volunteers collected toys at the bus, which was donated by First Student Bus Co. of Fitchburg, and went into the mall and stores to let shoppers know about the opportunity to donate to the cause. Mall management also coordinated a spot for the bus to be parked and for tables to be set up.
The shoppers donated toys suitable for all ages, including Tonka trucks, board games, a Hannah Montana doll, a Fisher-Price medical kit, and many other gifts, large and small. Toys for Tots collects gifts for children from birth to 15 years old.
Mr. Ward said his goal was to fill the bus to overflowing, but he was happy with the response from shoppers, especially since it is the first year.
“There were a lot of nice people helping us out,” he said.
Ellie