LOS ANGELES, Calif (Dec. 22, 2021) — BYD embraced the spirit of the Season of Giving this season, helping make the holidays brighter for families throughout our community.
We kicked off the holiday season by once again sponsoring the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) Stuff-a-Bus Toy Drive. From Nov. 22 through Dec. 17, the AVTA collected toys and clothing, using a BYD-built 40-foot K9M battery-electric bus.
This year’s drive was a resounding success with the bus truly being stuffed. AVTA works with local charities to collect and distribute all toy and gift donations. Participating 2021 charities are the Marco & Sandra Johnson Foundation, the Children’s Bureau, Antelope Valley Partners for Health, the Child and Family Guidance Center, Grace Resource Center, and the South Antelope Valley Emergency Services of Palmdale (SAVES).
Our community outreach continued Dec. 11 as BYD was a sponsor of the City of Lancaster’s holiday celebration Magical BLVD. The event was making its return after the 2020 event was cancelled as a COVID-19 precaution.
In addition to being an event sponsor, BYD handed over 400 health packs for adults, approximately 800 school bus safety coloring pages for kids, and over 1,000 mini candy canes. One of our brand-new Type D battery-electric school bus prototypes was on display and was a huge hit with the crowd.
On Dec. 14, BYD joined our friends and neighbors at the AV EDGE Holiday Breakfast, the civic group’s first in-person gathering since the COVID shutdown. BYD, an AV EDGE sponsor, presented a video showing the company’s positive impact on jobs, individuals’ lives, and the region’s economy.
BYD took holiday cheer on the road on Dec. 16, heading out to Fresno. The residents of the Fresno area collected over 60,000 food items at Clovis East High School & delivered them to the Central California Food Bank via a BYD battery electric bus generously provided by the Fresno County Rural Transit Agency.
The holiday community outreach wrapped on Dec. 17 when BYD and SMART Local 105 partnered to bring toys and masks to the families served by the Penny Lane Center in Lancaster. Santa was on hand to greet families as they drove up and members of the union handed out toys. BYD donated 4,000 masks for the event.
