GreyhounD in your community
Greyhound Congratulates the National Runaway Safeline on 50 Years of Service to Homeless and Runaway Youth
This year, Greyhound’s partners at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS) celebrate 50 years of service to homeless and runaway youth. Founded in 1971 by a group of Chicago agencies, the NRS began as a hotline that provided 24-hour service to Chicago youth in need of crisis intervention. The non-profit has grown since then, providing resources to homeless and runaway youth across the country.
Greyhound and the NRS have been partners since 1994, providing free transportation to homeless and runaway youth through the Home Free program. Transporting approximately 250 youth home each year, the Home Free program has played an important part in reuniting families across the nation. By dialing 1-800-RUNAWAY, youth are connected to a NRS representative that is trained to both identify a safe return home and work directly with Greyhound to coordinate transportation.
Each year, Greyhound donates to the NRS for National Runaway Prevention Month in November. This year, Greyhound’s donation is made in honor of retired Bridgewater Police Chief Richard Voorhees, one of the founders of the Home Free program, who passed away in September of 2021.
Greyhound Partners with Allen & Gray Musicals to Celebrate Freedom Riders History
This year marks six decades since Greyhound’s involvement in the Freedom Rides of the Civil Rights Movement. A pivotal time in American history, Greyhound is remembered for having transported civil rights activists across the segregated south as they successfully protested segregation, particularly regarding intercity bus transportation.
Today, Greyhound is sponsoring Allen & Gray Musicals as they bring to life the story of the movement through their musical, Freedom Riders. In November 2021, they will release for the first time a concert album featuring seventeen original songs from the play that provides insight into the spirit and sound of the time. Greyhound customers will also be able to enjoy a special cut of the Freedom Riders 60th Anniversary concert which is coming soon to Greyhound’s onboard entertainment system.
Follow Greyhound on Instagram for exclusive Freedom Riders content. Here
240th Assault Helicopter Company, “Greyhound Unit,” flies once again
Vietnam veterans from the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, an Army Aviation Huey Helicopter Unit, reunited in September at Yankee Air Museum in Belleville, Mich. The group was on hand to dedicate a restored UH-1H Huey helicopter that once belonged to their unit, which was named “Greyhounds.”
These war veterans were tasked with the dangerous mission of transporting soldiers safely in and out of the treacherous war zones in Vietnam. Their commitment to perform successfully in the face of adversity was fueled by the stand Greyhound made during the Vietnam war.
Greyhound supported the 240th Assault Helicopter Company by providing them with decals of the company’s running dog logo to place on their helicopters, which affectionately became known as Greyhounds.
These men knew their assistance to others had to be conducted with speed, dependability, safety and with great service to their “passengers” - the brave soldiers they transported. These standards were chosen by them because they knew it was in line with the Greyhound brand.
During the reunion in Michigan, along with dedicating the Huey helicopter, the group of about 45 former crew members also took rides in the helicopter and held a memorial service for members of their unit that died in Vietnam. They also were driven around in a special Greyhound wrapped bus that commemorates their service in Vietnam.
“We loved it,” said Morris Miller, 240th Assault Helicopter Company crew member. “We were honored that Greyhound not only provided a bus to haul us to our events but that it was a bus specially designed to honor our unit.”
Rides for Responders
We want to support the first responders and frontline medical professionals who are volunteering their time and expertise by traveling to large cities or small towns to help in the fight against COVID-19.
Long Term Partnerships
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Rides for Responders continues to support frontline pandemic workers
In April of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was underway and communities across the nation were busy adjusting to the new normal. With frontline medical workers, law enforcement and morticians being needed in various locations across the nation, Greyhound introduced ‘Rides for Responders,’ a program geared towards providing free transportation for essential medical personnel.
To date, Greyhound has received over 400 requests from frontline employees and has had the honor of transporting many of these workers to areas in need of assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"These frontline heroes are putting their lives at risk to provide support and expertise not only in their communities, but they are also volunteering to travel across the country to help communities being hit hardest during the pandemic," said Rob Friedman, Chief Commercial Officer, Greyhound Lines, Inc. "We are so thankful for their sacrifices and we want to be able to help in whatever way we can. Transportation is what we do best; with this program we can take out the hassle and worry about how these medical personnel get to their destination so they can be rested and focus on their important task at hand."
For more information or to apply for the program, visit here by December 31, 2020.
Greyhound supervisor delivers in time of need
Clifford Warren, operations supervisor in Columbus, Ohio, understands the importance of providing stellar service to the many people he encounters every day. Whether it’s a customer who is traveling Greyhound or someone in his community, he knows properly serving others with a caring heart goes a long way.
Which is why, when Warren’s day ends at Greyhound, his service continues as a volunteer with Nelsonville York City Schools, the local school district in Athens, Ohio. Through this opportunity, he has delivered more than 60 meals to families in need throughout the greater Columbus area in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have approximately 1,200 students in the district, and with that many people to reach, volunteers were in need to assist with deliveries,” Warren said. “Volunteers were never exposed to any face-to-face communications with students or families. Food boxes are packed by district kitchen workers and put on buses, then drivers take the boxes to volunteers’ vehicles so there is no contact. The volunteers place the boxes on families’ porches when delivering. It is a safe way to help lend a hand while observing social distancing.”
Thank you, supervisor Warren for lending a helping hand in your community during this time of need for many people.
Home for the holidays
Greyhound played a big role in getting troops home for the holidays. In the Missouri Ozarks, the company lined up buses at Fort Leonard Wood so troops could make it home to see family and friends. More than 1,700 men and women boarded buses headed for Dallas, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Orlando, Charlotte, Chicago and New York City.
Ft. Leonard Wood was created in December 1940 and named in honor of General Leonard Wood in January 1941. It has evolved from a small basic training post 70 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains about 80,000 military and civilians each year.
Thank you to all the employees who played a role in making this transportation move happen for those who have dedicated their lives to serving our country. Also, thank you to everyone around the country for helping our customers have a safe and stellar holiday travel experience.
Oakland terminal spreads Christmas cheer
Greyhound employees in Oakland were truly in the giving spirit this holiday season. For the sixth year, they provided customers’ children with gift baskets throughout December.
The gift baskets include Razor scooters, coloring books, footballs, school supplies, Lego blocks and much, much more for children to enjoy. The items were provided through the non-profit wethapeople.org, which was started by Gaston Evans, city manager, Oakland.
“This always brings about a happy and loving feeling in our Oakland terminal,” Evans said. “We gave away 42 gift bags throughout the Christmas holiday.”
The Oakland terminal also held its 5th Annual One Warm Coat Drive. Thanks to the community and Greyhound employees, 92 coats were donated to people in need.
Special Olympians
Dear Greyhound,
Thank you so very much for the generous and kindness of providing a big, beautiful Greyhound bus for our Special Olympians. Because of your gift, many of our Special Olympians were able to attend the Area 6 Special Olympics Formal in Columbus, Ohio.
Transportation is one of the biggest challenges to those with disabilities, especially to evening or social activities, which are truly needed. Thank you, Mr. Leach. I hope the enclosed pictures let you see some of the joy that you brought to our Special Olympians. God bless you.
Sincerely,
Lynn Puskarich-Sriprajittichai
Pataskala, Ohio
Helping Hound volunteers give a helping hand in Orlando
Members of the Greyhound Orlando management team participated in a Helping Hound community event. April Sweptson, terminal supervisor; LaSalle Abbott, terminal manager; Isabel Tasney, terminal supervisor; Sandra Frye, terminal supervisor; and Tasha Watts, GPX supervisor volunteered their time to help sort items at Second Harvest Food Bank.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a private, nonprofit organization that collects, stores and distributes donated food to more than 550 feeding partners in six Central Florida counties. Last year the food bank distributed nearly 63 million meals to partner programs that include food pantries, soup kitchens, women’s shelters, senior centers, day care centers and kids’ cafes.
