Metro News Release

For immediate release: December 20, 2007

Metro employees donate hundreds of toys and thousands of dollars to needy families

Bicycles with pink ribbons, remote-control cars and fire trucks wrapped in red paper. Those are just a few of the more than 600 gifts donated by Metro employees that are bringing smiles to the faces of dozens of needy children and families in the Washington region this holiday season.

Dozens of Metrobus operators and mechanics are holding parties for nearly 100 children from three District of Columbia Public Schools this week, complete with presents and visits from Santa Claus.

Other employees have collected more than 100 pounds of food to give to the Capital Area Food Bank, which distributes food to the needy. Some employees donated $1,200 in gifts and food to two district families in need. Others are hosting a charity auction Friday, which is expected to raise thousands of dollars for Bread for the Soul, a nonprofit organization that delivers food baskets, books, toys and cash donations to families affected by HIV and AIDS. Metro Transit Police also collected about 250 toys for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

A Metrobus with Santa on board greeted nearly 40 children yesterday afternoon from the Marie H. Reed Learning Center in Northwest Washington. The children were taken to a party at the Montgomery bus garage in Rockville, Md., and enjoyed food, dancing and presents, all donated by bus operators and mechanics.

“This is their Christmas,” said Terrellynn West, a counselor at the school, who accompanied the children ages 3-12.

“It’s a big deal,” said Nancy Ventura, 10, who uses a wheelchair. “I’m hoping for an iPod.” No iPod, but Ventura was all smiles when she unwrapped a Bratz motorbike and doll.

Other Metrobus operators and mechanics are hosting a party for nearly 30 children, ages 3-11, from West Elementary today from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Northern bus garage on 14th Street in Northwest Washington.

D.C. firefighters and bus operators from the Bladensburg bus garage are hosting a party for about 30 children on Saturday from noon until 3 p.m. from Langston Elementary in Northeast Washington. The children are expected to receive food, presents and a visit from Santa.

“Last year, the children were so excited they didn’t even want to eat when they saw they were getting bicycles and scooters,” said Mildred Burrell, one of the organizers of the party at Northern bus garage.

News release issued at 12:00 am, December 20, 2007.