For the past 20 years, Location #11907 in Abington, Massachusetts, has participated in a holiday event that brings neighbors, both guests and volunteers, together to share in the magic of Christmas. In December, First Student dispatched 144 drivers to pick-up children and families living in protected and homeless shelters throughout Boston’s 11 communities for the ‘Christmas in the City’ event. ‘Christmas in the City’ is a party extravaganza for Boston-area kids and their families experiencing the uncertainty of homelessness and the stress of poverty. Months of planning and preparation by thousands of volunteers go into orchestrating this event that annually brings in approximately 4,500 children and 1,500 parents. The “red-carpet” winter wonderland extravaganza included: a 20-foot Christmas tree, food, live entertainment, parade, petting zoo, carnival rides, numerous kid-friendly activities and a visit from Santa. Toward the end of the event, every child received a personalized gift bought from their personal wish list.
Location Manager Barbie Nee coordinated all the transportation for the day with the help from Manager Joe Doherty and Technician Ken Mileski. “I’ve had the pleasure of coordinating the transportation for First Student’s involvement in ‘Christmas in the City’ party for the past five years,” said Barbie. “But the compassion these drivers have for the children and families they pick-up, drives them back year after year.”