By Cecilia Ponce de Leon
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
What some may consider an unlucky date turned into a day filled with generosity and community spirit as Mountain Transit and Rim of the World Veterans Outreach hosted a successful “Fill the Bus” Valentine’s Day donation drive on Friday, Feb. 13.
The drive took place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Goodwin & Sons Market, where the market generously donated its parking lot space to accommodate the donation bus.
These women arrived with bags full of warm clothing to fill the bus.
Community members stopped by throughout the day to contribute much-needed items, including jackets, socks, hygiene products, blankets, non-perishable food and other essentials.
“Fill the Bus was a success,” said Noemi Anaya, marketing and outreach specialist for Mountain Transit. “We are grateful for the continued support from our mountain communities.”
The event – organized in partnership with Rim Vets, VFW Post 9624 and American Legion Post 360 – reflects an ongoing commitment to serving those in need. Residents once again demonstrated that, when the community comes together, even Friday the 13th can be a day of warmth and goodwill.
Joining in the high-level camaraderie within the veteran community were nine members of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, several of them veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Rim Vets motto, “Camaraderie is forever,” came home to roost as not only storytelling filled the day but the bus was filled to the brim with a vast array of supplies.
Kudos to Dale Ele, the American Legion commander, for spearheading the collection and bringing all four veterans groups together.
Always willing to give back, Goodwin & Sons Market played an important role in the day’s success by providing a welcoming and accessible location for donors.
The outpouring of support serves as a reminder that, in the mountain communities, generosity is never out of season, not even on Friday the 13th.
Veteran Michael Brewer contributed to this article.
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