Local Mom And Bus Driver Launches Toy Drive To Bring Holiday Cheer To Children In Need
On Saturday, December 6 from 9 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon, something simple and powerful will be happening in a Walmart parking lot on Boston Road in Springfield. A yellow school bus, the everyday driver for dozens of middle school students in the city, will be parked outside with its doors open. The goal is not to unload passengers. It is to fill that bus with toys for local children who otherwise might go without a joyful holiday.
The person behind it is not a big corporation, a large nonprofit, or a marketing team. It is a school bus driver and mom who sees the needs of Springfield kids up close, every single day.
Her name is Takira Williams, and she is a driver for Springfield Public Schools. She drives middle schoolers at Kiley Middle Schooll, knows their names, knows their stops, knows their families, and sees something that most people don’t get to witness: the quiet, everyday reality of childhood in a city where many kids are resilient, hopeful, and brilliant, but also struggling.
“There are kids who are less fortunate on my bus and in Springfield in general,” she said. “If I had the opportunity to give back to them, why wouldn’t I?”
So she turned that question into a plan. And that plan turned into a community event.
Stuff the Bus. Toy drive. One bus. One goal: fill it to capacity.
The Mission Behind The Event
The toys collected will go to children who are being supported by Wayfinders, a widely respected nonprofit in Springfield that provides critical housing support, stability resources, and shelter programs.
These are families navigating homelessness, housing insecurity, and crisis situations. Parents who are doing their best. Kids who deserve joy, dignity, and a holiday filled with surprises, not stress.
“It’s important that we think about the children who are less in need and how they deserve to have good holidays just like we expect our family to.”
A Young Leader Stepping Up For Her City
Takira is not a retiree with extra time on her hands. She is a full time bus driver, a student, a mother, and currently the Student Government President at Springfield Technical Community College.
She is studying business administration and pre law, while raising her four year old child and working every day with middle school students who watch her more closely than she realizes.
She could have easily said, “I don’t have time.”
Instead, she said, “I’ll build something.”
Her intention is not to host a one time holiday charity. It is to build a tradition.
This is the first year of an annual event that she intends to expand, strengthen, and repeat year after year.
She is building something for the long term.
Springfield deserves more people like that.
Partners That Stepped Up To Help
Several organizations stepped in to support the effort.
The biggest partners include:
Wayfinders
Springfield Thunderbirds (appearing with Boomer)
Walmart
Balanced Recovery Center
Greenfield Savings Bank
Florence Bank
Community banks and additional businesses have already begun participating through donations.
The Invitation
The event is public. Anyone can participate.
You don’t need a ticket.
You don’t need to register.
You don’t need to stay all day.
Bring a toy. Walk it to the bus. Put it on a seat.
You will change a holiday for a child you may never meet.
Where: Walmart, 1105 Boston Road, Springfield
When: Saturday, December 6
Time: 9 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon
Why She Chose Stand Out Truck
Takira asked Stand Out Truck to help spread the word.
Her reason had nothing to do with digital impressions or ad metrics.
“I love how as a father you have prioritized contributing and pouring into your son to help him pursue his goals. I also love the concept of the Stand Out Truck. Every time I see it, it makes me smile because it’s so unique. It’s something we all could have thought of, but we didn’t.”
For us at Stand Out Truck, the feeling is mutual.
Springfield is full of people with big hearts and big ideas.
Sometimes they just need a platform, a signal boost, and a little amplification to turn those ideas into impact.
That is what we exist to do.
Why This Matters
Kids should not have to earn the right to joy.
Childhood should include magic, surprise, and laughter, even for families navigating very real hardship.
And for families in transition, living in shelters, or rebuilding their lives, holiday generosity is not a luxury.
It is breathing room.
It is a moment where a parent gets to be a parent, not just a survivor.
It is dignity.
You Can Help
Springfield shows up for each other.
This community gives when it matters.
If you believe in neighbors helping neighbors, in kids feeling seen, and in the idea that a simple act can ripple into something bigger than you will ever witness, then please join us.
Bring a toy.
Tell a friend.
Share the post.
Show up for kids in your city.
Saturday, December 6
Walmart, Boston Road
9 to 3
Let’s stuff the bus.
Let’s stuff it with hope.
