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JCPS drivers, staff deliver 19 buses full of hope and help for WKY tornado victims
December 21, 2021 — Buses for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) stopped rolling last week for winter break, but that didn’t stop dozens of drivers and staffers from showing up this morning to make one last important delivery for the year.
The buses were driven to a former Hardin County middle school, where the items were unloaded by volunteers who carried the bags, boxes and packages to designated areas in hallways, classrooms and the cafeteria until the spaces were filled. The items will be further sorted before being delivered to families in the impacted areas.
Click here to watch a video of the Special Delivery.
“Towel paper, tissue paper, toilet paper, right here. Miscellaneous in this room,” JCPS bus driver Lesia Woods called out, directing volunteers as they carried items off the buses.
For drivers like Vickie Henning, who was born in Bowling Green and still has family there, the tragedy hit close to home. The opportunity to help, she said, was personal.
“It’s an honor to be able to represent JCPS and our community for this service project,” the JCPS bus driver and trainer said, barely holding back tears.
Hundreds of community members in and around Jefferson county anted up for the campaign, donating thousands of diapers, baby food, personal hygiene products, food and cleaning supplies, among other needed items.
“I want to recognize the community for stepping up to meet the needs of so many impacted families in Western Kentucky,” JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said.
When JCPS launched the drive, he added, he thought the district might fill one school bus.
It filled 19.
The effort shows the connection that school districts across the commonwealth share, according to Chase Goff, a director with Green River Regional Education Cooperative, which helped coordinate delivery of the collected items.
“Public schools take care of public schools,” Goff said, adding that the day before he had helped unload 70 school buses from across eastern, central and southern Kentucky. In total, more than 100 school buses have delivered items, he said.
Pollio said the outpouring of help from the community is unmatched, particularly the willingness of employees to volunteer their time over the holiday break.
“It makes me proud to be a part of this JCPS family,” he said, “Just to see 19 buses rolling down I-65 to support our families.”