Published January 13. 2026 02:54PM
Despite having to be canceled several days due to inclement weather, the fifth annual ‘Stuff the Bus’ filled a bus with donations for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program and accepted nonperishable food, personal hygiene and cash donations which support local nonprofit New Bethany.
Conducted by the Bethlehem Area School District’s transportation department several bus drivers were joined by Marines and high school seniors earning community service credit at two locations in 2025. Collections were made at SteelStacks near Christkindlmarkt and at the Bethlehem Square shopping center on Linden Street.
Bus driver Brenda Sciascia coordinated the campaign once again. “It’s heartwarming to have people come to support us year to year,” she said.
She noted the commitment of high school students who volunteer. “It warms my heart and they braved the cold and wind like real troopers. It teaches them the importance of helping people who are less fortunate.”
She concluded, “the Marines are received with thanks and admiration” by many who support the drive and says their participation and support are very much appreciated.”
BASD bus driver Brenda Sciascia accepts a drive-by toy donation.
Earning some community service credit, Liberty HS junior Elisha Labar joins BASD bus driver Julia Rosario and Marine Corporal Casana at the Christkindlmarkt collection point.
Toy donations for Toys for Tots begin to fill the bus located at the Bethlehem Square.
PRESS PHOTOS BY DANA GRUBBMarine Lance Corporal Quentin Barron-Cassimora, BASD bus driver Ryan Snyder, and BASD high school students earning community service credit at the Bethlehem Square shopping center collection point.
BASD students, an unidentified Marine, and several bus drivers at the shopping center collection point on Dec. 20.
Jenny Ramos, representative payee coordinator at New Bethany, and BASD bus driver Brenda Sciascia tote supplies and gifts for clientele into New Bethany on Christmas Eve.
New Bethany employee Joe handles food donations for the New Bethany pantry.
The Wolfinger family delivers donations to Toys for Tots to Stuff the Bus in memory and honor of their husband, father and ‘Papaw’, U.S. Marine Rick Wolfinger, who died earlier this year.
Lance Corporal Quentin Barron-Cassimora accepts a donation Nov. 29 at the shopping center.
