RNR, Tire Express support record-breaking 'Stuff the Bus' event

NORFOLK, Va. (Dec. 16, 2014) — The annual “Stuff the Bus” toy-collection event in the Hampton Roads and Norfolk, Va., areas broke a record this year, thanks in part to the title sponsor support of RNR Custom Wheels and Tire Express stores in Norfolk.

The program — run in conjunction with the annual Toys for Tots program the U.S. Marine Corp conducts — collects toys for children who would otherwise spend Christmas without any gifts.

From Dec. 1-5, “Shaggy,” a popular local radio DJ, lived on a bus that traveled to five different areas to collect toys for children. According to RNR, each day Shaggy chronicled with a video on Z104 radio's website his progress while showing “the generosity of a community committed to taking care of their children this holiday season.”

Employees from RNR Custom Wheels and Tire Express stores in Norfolk were on hand to help Shaggy collect gifts and load the buses, as were many U.S. Marines. RNR also went on a shopping spree at a Toys R Us store and later loaded up a fleet of trucks with gifts for kids.

“Stuff the Bus” — already the largest toy drive on the East Coast, according to RNR — broke all records this year. In 2013 the effort resulted in 15 buses stuffed with toys at the end of Shaggy's five-day tour. This year the total jumped to 18 buses and more than 115,000 toys. Next year, for the 10th anniversary of the “Stuff the Bus” event, Shaggy reported the goal is to break this year's record.

Although the event is over, RNR said it will continue to donate $2 for every tire sold until Dec. 18 and is planning another shopping trip to Toys R Us just before Christmas Eve “to finish out the work of the program.” Each of RNR's locations in the Norfolk area also have “Jingle Jars” available for customers wishing to contribute to the cause.

RNR said the goal of “Stuff the Bus” is “to make sure that every child has a magical Christmas.”

The Tampa, Fla.-based lease-purchase franchisor provides most major brands of custom wheels and tires through weekly, bi-weekly or monthly payment installments.