Clarkston Community School transportation employees are volunteering to collect donations for this Saturday’s Stuff a Bus. Photo by Jessica Steeley

BY JESSICA STEELEY
Clarkston News Staff Writer
The annual Stuff-a-Bus event is this Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The event, which has been going on for over a decade, is run by the Clarkston Community Schools Transportation Department and donations go to Lighthouse Clarkston.
“It’s very near and dear to our hearts because we want to help the kids and the families that we serve,” said Tina Fay, Clarkston bus driver.
Fay said Stuff-a-Bus is completely volunteer, and generally run by bus drivers, bus aides, and their family members.
“Some people enjoy it so much they stay the entire day,” Fay said.
Fellow bus driver Juanita Gilbert said it’s easy to stay busy during the event.
“You get caught up in it. It’s taking the bags from people and trying to arrange it a little bit – before you know it, it’s 6 o’clock,” Gilbert said. “It’s a great experience.”
Lighthouse uses the items donated throughout the year, Fay said, not only for Christmas time.
“In the past they’ve said what we have brought in has helped them for two to three months, foodwise, so whatever we can get we’re happy to do it,” she said.
Gilbert said they accept all kinds of donations, including canned and boxed fruit, vegetables, pasta, potatoes, peanut butter, jelly, and other food, pots, pans, dishes, and other kitchen and household items, furniture and appliances, personal care and baby items, denture paste, puzzles, canes, and other items for seniors, toys, clothing, food, hygiene products, baby items, and gift cards.
This year they will be collecting donations at Neiman’s Family Market on Dixie Highway and Kroger on Sashabaw Road, both in Independence Township.
“It’s right here in the community and it stays in the community. You would be surprised at the need there is out there in even this community,” Fay said.
She described volunteering for Lighthouse’s Christmas store after the event in order to see what happens to some of the donations after-the-fact.
“I’ve seen it from all angles,” she said. “The parents can shop for their children. It’s a really neat experience and I’ve actually gone and helped people shop, and volunteered my time to help people shop.”
Last year they were only able to have one bus, but this year it will be back to two. Gilbert and Fay encourage everyone to come out this Saturday and donate.
“This year we’re gung ho,” Gilbert said. “Our goal is to pack those bad boys up.”