Local goslings will be riding in style thanks to a newly decked-out bus that includes a carefully crafted interior and the painting from a local artist realized on the outside.
Oceanside Building Learning Together (BLT) unveiled its third Words on Wheels (WOW) Bus to kids, parents and supporters on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Storybook Village in Qualicum Beach.
RELATED: Community supports WOWs literacy program
The bus delivers the Mother Goose program — a five-week session during which children build literacy skills through songs and stories.
The bus features artwork by local artist Peggy Schollenberg of a pair of geese and their goslings. Early this summer, a call went out to artists for submissions, with some of the kids who use the bus helping choose the winning design.
“They loved (Schollenberg’s painting),” said BLT manager Judi Malcolm.
“It’s marvelous,” said Schollenberg of seeing her work on such a large canvas. “What an incredible job they (Coombs Junction Signs and others) did putting it on the bus.”
Malcolm praised the many sponsors, supporters and volunteers who worked on the bus or made donations, without whom funding would have had to go on for another two years, she said to the crowd on Wednesday.
She added that a dear volunteer with BLT, Carole Lewis, passed away this year. In lieu of flowers, her family asked that well-wishers give donations to BLT, which went toward the bus, said Malcolm. “We will be putting a plaque on the bus in her honour,” she said.
At the unveiling, kids already got to enjoy the bus, with BLT program co-ordinator Odette Herr leading children with some sing-a-long songs in the vehicle. The bus was expected to be in use the very next day.
Send news tips to:
