M-W bus garage staff does more than just drive

MONROE — The Monroe-Woodbury School District Transportation Department has been doing more than just driving lately.

Bus drivers, bus attendants and office staff recently completed making an additional 75 handmade blankets to be distributed through "Project Linus" and distributed to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies or anywhere that a child might be in need.

The mission of Project Linus is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need, through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteers.

Bus attendant Sue Pratt organized this event with the support of her colleagues.

"We are very proud of all our volunteers who participated in this fun and rewarding service opportunity for the benefit of children, who helped to make 116 blankets this year," said Transportation Director Dawn Russell.

The bus garage also recently hosted a student visit organized by the Monroe-Woodbury Parents Advocating Gifted Education (PAGE) group.

Students toured the facility, getting a behind-the scenes peek at how a unit which transports more than 7,000 students daily operates.

Students were also able to ask questions to dispatchers and the mechanics who oversee the maintenance of safety of the district's fleet, which collectively travels 11,000 miles daily.

- Nancy Kriz