School bus drivers put the pedal to the metal once again on Dec. 1 to help collect holiday donations for Wareham children in need.

Decked out in holiday gear, the group collected donations for their second annual “Stuff-A-Bus” donation drive to benefit Turning Point.

Turning Point, an all-volunteer social service agency, provides assistance to the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in Wareham through a variety of programs. During the holidays, the organization also helps to sponsor gifts for children in need. 

“Last year, we heard that Turning Point might not have enough gifts for all the kids they served,” said Marie Ferreira. “So we cobbled together our first donation drive, and now we’re back and better than ever.”

Throughout the afternoon, residents stopped by with new, unwrapped toys, winter clothes and non-perishable food items to fill a bus parked at the Wareham Fire Department.

A ‘Giving Tree’ was also set up alongside the bus for those wanting to make donations on the fly.

The largest donator of the day, Ferreira said, was Delken Dry Cleaners. The company sent a pick-up truck loaded with toys to the bus, filling it almost to capacity minutes after the drive started.

“We might actually need another bus next year,” said Ferreira. “Every one has been so generous, it just makes you want to cry.”