A bus full of holiday spirit: ATU holds annual Fill-A-Bus event

The Amalgamated Transit Union filled a bus with gifts for the Christmas Cheer Board.

Holiday cheer filled up a heritage Winnipeg Transit bus on Saturday.

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1505 hosted its second annual Fill-A-Bus event at Four Crowns Restaurant at 1030 McPhillips Street, aiming to spread holiday cheer and help families in need.

Provided by the Manitoba Transit Heritage Society, the heritage bus was in service in 1999, said Chris Scott, president of ATU Local 1505.

“Christmas is a difficult time … food costs are up, the cost to provide gifts for the family is up. So we want to ask the generous people of Winnipeg to come by, bring a new unwrapped toy, non-perishable food item or even monetary donations,” Scott said.

Shawna Bell, executive director of the Christmas Cheer Board – a partner of the event, said the funds go directly into building hampers for families.

“Whether it be food or toys, we go out and take those dollars and stretch them as tight as we can and we make sure to buy as much as we can with the money,” Bell explained the process. “Then we put it in the hampers to send it out to families in need right across Winnipeg.”

Scott said last year’s event created “just under 100 hampers,” and they are attempting to double it this year. “We want ATU to be the union on the map for providing for the citizens of this city.”

The event was held until 3 p.m. on Saturday and Scott said the Christmas Cheer Board have “many events going on throughout this giving season,” in case people missed it. “Merry Christmas, get to those less fortunate, because that’s what Winnipeggers do.”