By Cullen Lea
Intern
Saturday, Dec. 13 marked the inaugural Stuff the Bus Toys for Tots Drive from the Oil and Air VW Club of Wilmington. Volkswagen lovers drove their vintage rides to the Pub at Sweet n Savory to collect items for those in need during the holiday season. Event orchestrator Steven Fawcett felt it was important to donate to the disadvantaged community and saw his vintage VW bus as the perfect draw for pledges.
“People are always taking pictures next to my car at the beach,” Fawcett said. “Kids are always making the peace sign next my bus so the idea just clicked.”
Fawcett quickly connected with his fellow VW appreciators, like Judy Martinez, and the event was born.
“There’s great camaraderie amongst this VW community and we all like to help other people,” Martinez said. “I definitely have a maternal instinct in me.”
Martinez was continuously inspired to help kids because of her job as a public school teacher at Laney High School. She has bought school items and made numerous donations.
Fawcett said he has a similar outlook. He wants to educate and influence his own children about aiding people who are in need.
“I want to teach my kids to help others,” he said. “Society presents things as being easy, but they aren’t. There are individuals in need of serious help out there.”
One with the same ideology is Sweet n Savory manager Chad Sollosi, who was happy to offer his workplace as a collection venue for Toys for Tots.
“We’re always willing to do great things like this for the community,” Sollosi said. “I wanted to do anything I could to help.”
Sollosi acknowledged the vintage cars are a great visual to get people interested.
“The cars are a fun twist that draws the eye,” he said. “I’m shocked that other businesses don’t do similar functions.”
The Stuff the Bus drive gathered around 30 toys, and Fawcett is hopeful about the future, explaining he wants to extend donations to coats and jackets. Both Fawcett and Martinez see the event growing in the future despite its modest beginning.
Another drive will be held at the Pub at Sweet n Savory located at 2012 Eastwood Road Saturday, Dec. 20 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Fawcett and company will be accepting warm clothing and blankets for the homeless.
“Every little bit helps,” Fawcett said. “Even the smallest items make a huge impact.”
