A First Student driver who helped hundreds of children in Rochester, Minn., stay warm last winter received a high honor from the National School Transportation Association (NSTA). The Association presented Linda Bowar with its Outstanding Driver Service Award during the NSTA annual meeting and convention in Minneapolis on July 21.
Bowar organized a coat drive in December 2014 after noticing a student on her route was not wearing a coat on a morning when the temperature was -23°F. Bowar discovered the boy’s family could not afford a coat. Compelled to act, she contacted stores in Rochester for donations. She collected hundreds of new coats, hats, gloves and scarves. The location then distributed these items to area families in need.
“From Linda’s initial concern for one student grew an entire initiative that benefited more than 200 children in Rochester,” shared Location Manager Jon Goetz. “Linda’s selfless nature and dedication to the students in our community make her an ideal recipient of the Outstanding Driver Service Award.”
The NSTA Outstanding Driver Service Award honors drivers who serve as a role model for their communities.