Hampton Roads Transit is collecting hurricane relief supplies on behalf of Operation Blessing this week.
The Virginia Beach-based nonprofit has spent the last several weeks working in several states following destructive flooding and wind from hurricanes Helene and Milton.
HRT will open two collection sites for 12 hours both Tuesday and Wednesday, October 29 and 30, and the locations will look familiar to anyone who's spent a summer day at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
The transit company will park a "VB Wave" trolley — known for shuttling crowds around the resort strip — at each collection spot.
“It’s an icon, of course," said Thomas Becher, HRT spokesperson. ”They are available to us and it’s a fun way to kind of climb on board and drop off some donations.”
Drop-off locations will not be in Virginia Beach, however. They will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at HRT Operations facilities in Norfolk (509 E. 18th Street) and Hampton (3400 Victoria Boulevard).
Becher says Operation Blessing has specifically requested donations of new and unopened diapers (infant to adult), feminine hygiene products, wipes and infant formula.
He tells News 3 the collection idea came together quickly and originated as an internal operation through HRT Cares, an employee-led community support organization.
“Our operations, our staff, they are in our communities, the six cities we serve. They see the needs. They see the needs of passengers waiting for a bus, or overhearing conversations," he said. ”We said, ‘let’s open it to the community, let’s bring this iconic trolley out into the street.’”
Following the two collection days, Becher says HRT will deliver donated items to Operation Blessing's warehouse, likely on Thursday.
