Councilmember Dunn turns over “retired” County van to Camp Berachah Day Care of Auburn

June 26, 2013

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The Day Care program for Auburn’s Camp Berachah, which has been serving King County Communities for four decades, will be the new home for one of King County’s newest “retirees.” On Wednesday, June 26, Metropolitan King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn visited Camp Berachah to hand over the keys of a retired Metro van to Camp Berachah just in time for the busy summer season.

“Camp Berachah’s Day Care Program has been a positive influence and served the greater Auburn region for a number of years,” said Dunn, who donated the van to the camp. “I am pleased to be able to hand over this retired van so that Camp Berachah Day Care can best serve the children that attend this fine organization.”

“Camp Berachah Day Care is thankful to be receiving this van from Councilmember Dunn and King County,” said James Richey, Director of Outreach for Camp Berachah. “We are celebrating our 40th anniversary of providing Day Care programs for families, and summer camps for 4,000 kids each summer, this van is much needed and appreciated.”

The retired vans have been part of Metro Transit’s vanpool fleet for at least six years and have reached the end of their service life. When the vans reach this age, they are considered surplus. The vehicles that are not donated are sold.

Since 1996, the County Council has been donating retired vans from Metro’s Vanpool program to local nonprofit organizations to provide transportation for the disabled, low-income, young adults, and senior citizens. Governments, agencies and organizations that receive the vans must meet specific requirements.

The vanpool program provides mobility for a diverse array of King County residents, supports the positive work of various local organizations, and relieves traffic congestion by reducing the need for single-occupancy vehicles. Interested organizations can contact Councilmember Dunn 206-296-1009 or reagan.dunn@kingcounty.gov for more information on applying for a vehicle.

Councilmember Dunn is joined by James Richey (Green Shirt) and Steve Altick (White Shirt) and the campers of Camp Berachah shortly after the delivery of a surplus Metro Vanpool van to the camp