For the third year in a row, Clarkston school bus drivers spent a holiday weekend making pickups for other children. On the weekend of Dec. 9?10, they were outside two Krogers on Dixie Highway taking in donations for Lighthouse Emergency Services during their ‘stuff-a-bus? fund-raiser.
On the morning of Dec. 11, the drivers made a morning stop at the Clarkston branch of Lighthouse to drop off all of their donations.
Clarkston bus driver Tina Fay said the drive ran for eight hours less that in previous years, and as a result there was a slight drop-off in the amount of donations.
‘It was a little less but it was still a good turnout,? Fay said, adding that donations were still strong thanks to a lot of help. ‘We want to thank Kevin Bickerstaff and the Clarkston Board of Education for allowing us to do this every year. Also, Signs by Tyke and all of the volunteers who helped.?
Even though the drive did not collect as much as last year, still nearly two buses full, Clarkston Lighthouse Director Connie Stapleton said the donations were a great help.
‘The gifts they brought were really good quality, so even though they might think they didn’t help as much, they did,? Stapleton said. ‘We really appreciate what the drivers did.?
This year, Lighthouse has again seen an increase in local families in need of support. Stapleton estimated that the organization is trying to support 353 families with children this year, equaling approximately 1,150 children. They had approximately 900 children to help last year.
The continuous increase in needy families is a result of the weak Michigan economy, she said.
‘We are seeing more people coming in (for help) who used to be donators,? she said. ‘It’s really depressing to see.?
Lighthouse is still collecting donations for the holiday season. Even on short notice, Stapleton is hoping people can find the time to donate a gift card or two for teenagers by Dec. 14. They are looking for gift cards to stores like Target, Meijers, or Best Buy, where teens can go to purchase a new CD or movie.
Above all, however, Stapleton said they need monetary donations.
‘I hate to sound crass, but it’s really what most people need,? she said.
Lighthouse is limited to donating $300 of their grant money to each family in need, so monetary donations extend that help. Stapleton said pre-paid gas cards are an often overlooked by very helpful gift idea for needy families, many of whom have to make long drives to seek out help in the first place.
For anyone who would like to donate, the Clarkston branch of Lighthouse is located at 6330 Sashabaw Rd. and can be contacted at 248-620-6116.