"STAGGERING NUMBERS”:
SPORTRAN, HEALTHY BLUE, CADDO PARISH SCHOOLS,
NATIONAL PANHELLENIC COUNCIL – SHREVEPORT COUNCIL,
AND PARTY WITH A PURPOSE JOIN FORCES
TO STUFF THE BUS FOR AREA HOMELESS STUDENTS
(Shreveport, LA) --- Each year at Christmas, SporTran and Healthy Blue Louisiana, title sponsor of the annual “Stuff the Bus Toy & Gift Drive”, call on the community to help fill a city bus with toys and gifts benefiting local children. After learning the extent of the financial fragility faced by so many families in our public schools, SporTran and Healthy Blue Louisiana have joined forces with the Caddo Parish School Board, National Panhellenic Council – Shreveport Council, and Party with a Purpose to “Stuff the Bus” for the 1,500+ homeless students attending Caddo schools.
The public is invited to donate new, unwrapped toys and gifts now through December 10, 2023. Businesses, churches, and community groups are also encouraged to give. All items collected this year will be delivered to the Caddo Parish School Board on Tuesday, December 12, giving the CPSB Homeless Department time to distribute the gifts before schools close for winter break.
“In a perfect world, Christmas would be joyful for everyone. So often, that’s not the case,” states SporTran CEO Dinero’ Washington. “It’s staggering to find out that over 1,500 children in our community are dealing with homelessness. Imagine trying to raise your kids and keep them in school while worrying about where you’ll sleep tonight. Christmas presents fall down the list of necessities. Along with Healthy Blue, SporTran is extremely excited to work with Caddo Parish schools, National Panhellenic Council – Shreveport Council, and School Board member Dottie Bell’s ‘Party with a Purpose’ fundraiser to gather donations for these students.
“In addition to our sponsors, other community organizations are already preparing to help Stuff the Bus, such as Word of God Ministries. While we hope to have plenty of gifts for the younger kids, we encourage the public to remember middle and high school students as well when doing your shopping. With the community’s help, this will be our largest ‘Stuff the Bus’ toy and gift drive yet.”
Where Do I Bring My New, Unwrapped Toy or Gift?
Toys may be brought
- on any SporTran bus
- on any SporTran OnDemand vehicle
- to the SporTran Intermodal Terminal at 1237 Murphy Street
- to the SporTran Administration Office at 1115 Jack Wells Boulevard in Shreveport
For large donations, SporTran’s Holiday Bus will pick up from any location in the Shreveport-Bossier area.
Wish list ideas include puzzles, gift cards, board games, footballs, headphones, RC cars, dress-up clothes, Barbies/baby dolls, books, and more. Toys and gifts for all ages are greatly appreciated.
For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact Leslie Peck at leslie.peck@shreveportla.gov or (318) 401-7169.
Shreveport, LA --- Following ordinance approval by the Shreveport City Council, SporTran is pleased to announce that fares for all vehicles and services inside the Shreveport-Bossier City limits will be free to the public for 2022 and 2023 beginning January 2, 2022.
The move to “Zero Fare” ridership was made possible by a federal grant, which will cover the fare cost of SporTran bus and OnDemand travel in the SporTran service area. Zero Fare begins Sunday, January 2, 2022. SporTran President and CEO Dinero’ Washington is excited about the impact Zero Fare will have on passengers.
“On behalf of myself and the entire team at SporTran, we are thrilled to be able to offer all rides inside our service area for free during the next two years,” Washington stated. “Those in our community who depend on SporTran for transportation will benefit so much from this reduction to their daily expenses. We also hope it encourages everyone in our community to ride SporTran, whether it be every day or every once in a while. Zero Fare is another giant step in SporTran’s ongoing effort to make local public transit affordable, safe, and easy to use.”
In addition to Zero Fare, SporTran is expecting delivery on the first of 9 new standard buses in December. The transit organization will add a total of 35 new vehicles to its fleet over the next 18 months.
BENEFITS AT SPORTRAN
SporTran offers an excellent Benefits Package which includes:
- Health, Dental and Vision Insurance effective after 60 days of employment
- 401K Match (Administrative Employees)
- Eye Wear Reimbursement
- Health Care Flexible Spending Account
- Short Term Disability Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Policy
- Company-Paid Term Life Insurance
- Optional Life Insurance
- Paid Vacation
- Personal Days
- Paid Sick Days
- Paid Holidays
- Bereavement Leave
- Jury Duty wage reimbursement
- Free employee bus pass