Plum's Stuff-a-Bus event nets 650 gifts for Toys for Tots

Hundreds of Plum-area children will receive new toys this holiday season thanks to the efforts of district students and community members.

Plum High School hosted its fifth annual Stuff-a-Bus event Dec. 3.

It netted 650 toys for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign.

“It helps supply Christmas for a lot of kids that might not have a Christmas,” said Gill Thomas of Springdale-based Marine Corps League Detachment 827. “What these schools do, and these organizations employ, give us the power to do what we do.”

Thomas and other marines took the toys from the bus and sent them via truck to a distribution center at the Natrona Heights Plaza in Harrison.

Air Force JROTC cadets, Girls Leadership Association members and other high schoolers participated in the three-hour event.

They collected toys while offering free face painting, crafts, hot dogs, hot chocolate and other refreshments.

“It’s an amazing and such a wonderful event,” said senior Dakota Diliscia. “It really benefits all kids. More people showed up (this year) than last year, which is a really good improvement.”

Dakota painted the face of freshman and fellow JROTC cadet Elijah MacConnell.

Elijah said he’s learning a lot in his new surroundings, and community service is a key component in the JROTC program.

Senior cadet Dillon Nguyen was among those sorting the toys.

“Toys for Tots is great because it gives us an opportunity to give back to the community and to less fortunate families at Christmas,” he said.

JROTC leader Col. Richard Peterson and high school administrative assistant Shari Klein served as event coordinators.

“It means so much to me (for) personal reasons, and the kids and teachers love to be involved in this like this,” Klein said. “It’s a group effort and a wonderful thing.

The toys stay in the area to help people out in our area. Knowing you’re going to put a smile on someone’s face at Christmas is just wonderful.”

Plum EMS also showed up with an ambulance full of toys.

Peterson said Stuff-a-Bus was scheduled the same time as a chorus or band concert in previous years, and this time it was on its own.

He said they may look at scheduling it with another activity next year to entice more donations.