On Friday night “Stuff The Bus” concluded with a huge success. Salvation Army Captain Tim Danielson said it’s the most toys he’s seen on the bus in the three years he’s been serving Redding. He said the toys will be distributed within three counties: Shasta, Siskiyou and Trinity. Between three and four hundred households will receive toys this year.
According to the Captain, families in need submit their requests to the Salvation Army. And on their request forms they write in any particular toys they’d like to receive. It’s quite an organizing effort, but the Salvation Army does what they can to honor each request specific to toys and clothes. Danielson said it’s difficult to hear some of the hardship stories, and there are times he has to turn away because he starts choking up with tears to hear the suffering and grief that some families endure.
There were many volunteers at Crown Motors of all ages helping to accept toys. KRCR TV was there all day greeting people and doing live broadcasts. United Shasta was there along with the California Conservation Corps. Haven Human showed up with dogs to help add that extra warm feeling. Shasta Caverns gave out their fudge and large toy candy canes to people who donated. The Party Bus, staffed by a small bus of women, brought the kids a whole bunch of toys. One truck filled with toys showed up, and when the man driving the truck was asked what group he was with, the man replied that it was no group; just he and his wife.
There are a lot of generous people out there. And, of course, Santa was there for the kids and dogs to have fun.
Thanks to so many people and so many donations, the kids will, indeed, have a wonderful Christmas 2017. In the words of Captain Tim Danielson, “Redding Rocks”.
