Peter Pan Bus Lines: Making a Difference in Our Communities

Peter Pan and the Picknelly family have had a long tradition of community service and philanthropic generosity dating back three generations.

Peter and Melissa are continuing that tradition by establishing the Peter and Melissa Picknelly Charitable Fund, supporting a wide range of causes ranging from shelters for battered women and the homeless … to the United Way, the arts and many other civic causes. Both the Peter and Melissa Picknelly Charitable Fund and the Peter Pan Group of Companies are committed to improving the communities they serve.

 

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Peter Pan Employees Nominated for Howdy Awards

It’s the Pioneer Valley’s most prestigious award for excellence in the hospitality industry. And this year, Peter Pan employees Moises Arroyo and Karoline Birdsall have both been nominated to receive the 2012 Howdy Award from the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (GSCVB).

What’s especially impressive about the Howdy nominations is that they are made by the public that we serve. So when someone receives outstanding service, they can show their appreciation by nominating the person who provided it.

At Peter Pan, we’ve long known that these two motorcoach operators provide our travelers with exceptional service. And in both cases, that goes far beyond the simple “please” and “thank you.”

Moises Arroyo was instrumental in rescuing students at MacDuffie School who were stranded on a very heavily damaged campus in the aftermath of the June 1, 2011 tornado.  Though it took several hours, he skillfully maneuvered a 45-foot bus through downed trees and debris-ridden streets to rescue students and teachers and drive them to a safe location. He truly went “above and beyond” on a very difficult and challenging day for Springfield citizens.

Karoline Birdsall transported another bus company’s very frightened passengers after a fire incapacitated their motorcoach. And she did it with her characteristic professionalism and calm reassurance. She regularly handles difficult shuttle service for charitable events such as the Rays of Hope Walk each year. And Karoline is a particular favorite request driver among student groups as well as VIP Executive Coach charter groups and limousine service.

At Peter Pan Bus Lines, we’re pleased to extend our congratulations and our gratitude to Karoline Birdsall and Moises Arroyo. We look forward to cheering them both to victory when the Howdy Awards are handed out at Holyoke’s Log Cabin restaurant on May 15th, 2012.

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Peter Pan Executive VP Bob Schwarz Named To Difference Makers 2012

Peter Pan is proud that Business West has named Bob Schwarz, Executive Vice President – Communications, to its list of “Difference Makers 2012.” With a career in business and community service that has spanned more than 40 years, no one is more deserving of this impressive recognition.

Bob’s commitment to the Western Massachusetts community is as broad as it is longstanding. He had devoted his time to the United Way, the Eastern States Exposition, the New Leadership Charter School and its library, and to the Literacy Works Cabinet of the Regional Employment Board.

But Bob is perhaps proudest of his efforts on behalf of the region’s homeless population. In 2008, he received the Community Champion Award from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Then-‘homeless czar’ Philip Mangano praised him for his efforts as part of a nationwide program to end homelessness. For Bob, here in Western Massachusetts it’s not about placing people in shelters. Rather, it’s about finding them permanent housing. And no one has been more tireless in his efforts to achieve that goal.

Bob joined Peter Pan Bus Lines in 1986 and he counts among his many mentors the late Peter L. Picknelly. Today Bob is joined by a third generation of Picknellys, Peter A. Picknelly and his family, who share his unwavering commitment to community service.

The Peter Pan family extends its congratulations to Bob for this much deserved award.

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CoachBuilders Goes Red for Women’s Heart Health

Visitors to the Peter Pan CoachBuilders facility in Springfield’s North End saw red on Friday, February 3rd, 2012. That’s because the CoachBuilders crew got behind The American Heart Association’s Wear Red Day Challenge by donning their brightest red attire!

The team was responding to a memo from Melissa Picknelly, Vice President of Peter Pan Bus Lines, CoachBuilders’ parent company. Melissa has been active in the Go Red For Women movement since 2005, when Peter Pan instituted an initiative called H.E.L.P. – Healthy Employee Lifestyle Program. Each year since, Mrs. Picknelly has encouraged employees to wear red to show their support of this important Heart Association campaign.

Knowing that heart disease is the number one killer of women in America, the professionals at CoachBuilders responded to the Wear Red Day Challenge in a big way! As you can see from this photo, our staff left no doubt about their commitment to women’s heart health.

We’re proud of our Coachbuilders team and we thank them for their bright red show of support!

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Massachusetts Career Development Institute – Annie’s House

Dear Mr. Picknelly,

Thank you again for the Christmas dinner provided by you and your family for the women of Annie’s House.  As I expressed in my thank you card to you, your generosity and thoughtfulness are very much appreciated.

Wishing you and your family blessings and peace now and in the years ahead.

With gratitude,

Sr. Senga Fulton, MSW, LCSW
Program Director, Annie’s House

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Kensington Avenue Magnet School

Dear Friends at the Peter Pan Bus Lines,

Thank you so very much for the wonderful gift bags for our needy children. You have made such a positive difference in the lives of many children.

Your kind deeds are truly appreciated. Wishing you and those you cherish a very Merry Christmas and the best in 2012.

With gratitude,
Margaret Thompson, Principal

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Peter Pan Employees Bring Holiday Cheer to School Kids

It’s an annual tradition that goes back more than ten years. Peter Pan employees provide holiday gifts for school children in one of the city’s most economically challenged neighborhoods.

Each year, staff members at the Kensington Avenue School provide us with a list of some 50 children along with their holiday gift wishes. Back at Peter Pan headquarters, each child’s list is attached to an ornament on the Sharon Mumley Memorial Giving Tree, named for an employee who was instrumental in the program and who passed away in 2006. Peter Pan employees then select ornaments and buy gifts for the children they’ve chosen.

This year on December 16th, a team of Peter Pan staff boarded the company’s VIP Coach loaded with Christmas presents to deliver to the kids. Below you can see our merry crew as they worked their holiday magic at the school. With the help of principal Margaret Thompson, school nurse Ann Maggio, and the entire staff at the Kensington Avenue School, our employees were able to make it a happy holiday for some very deserving children.

Peter Pan extends our heartfelt gratitude to all the staff members who made this special tradition possible again this year. In addition to all who provided gifts for the children, thanks go out to our team of delivery “elves,” including Maureen Jaconetta, Jay MacNaught, Jessica Hoiberg, Samantha Cote, Matt Brown and Ricky T. Johnson. We’re proud to have them all as part of our Peter Pan family.

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Peter Pan Keeps Public Moving During Weather Emergency

Despite a devastating early season snowstorm that left hundreds of thousands without power and crippled much of the region’s transportation infrastructure, Peter Pan Bus Lines kept East Coast travelers moving throughout the challenging conditions with only minimal interruption.

While Saturday’s storm found many Amtrak schedules still suspended well into the following Monday afternoon, with many travelers stranded, Peter Pan’s bus service was back on track in a matter of hours. “We had to cancel service late Saturday night during the heart of the storm for safety reasons,” explained Peter Pan Executive Vice President Robert Schwarz. “But service began at 5 a.m. the next morning, and we have not run into any trouble since then.”

The experience was just another example of the dependability and adaptability of Peter Pan’s state-of-the-art network. And since we’ve established a professional working relationship with Amtrak, we’re always glad to help get their travelers back on their way by bus when the trains can’t get them to their destinations.

But reliability and the ability to respond quickly to changing weather conditions are not Peter Pan’s only advantages.  Reflecting the company’s commitment to the environment and responsible use of energy resources, Peter Pan buses are the most energy-efficient mode of transportation. A Peter Pan motorcoach is twice as fuel-efficient as Amtrak and other train services, three times as efficient as automobiles, and four times as efficient as commercial aviation.

Peter Pan was pleased to be able to keep Northeast travelers moving, even amidst an early season weather calamity of these unprecedented proportions. Our passengers arrived safely at their destinations, most with little or no delay at all. It’s all in a day’s work for a company that’s been connecting people and places for more than 75 years!

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Peter Pan and The United Way Begin Distributing 2000 Backpacks To Homeless Children

Homeless kids in the Pioneer Valley will be a little better prepared for school this year thanks to overwhelming community support for the Stuff The Bus program. Peter Pan and United Way of Pioneer Valley began distributing backpacks stuffed with school supplies this week – with a little help from the Chicopee High School Hockey Team. WWLP TV22 was on hand as the athletes distributed the first batch of packs on August 23rd. Take a look at the video below as the team eagerly embarked on their charitable mission.

Peter Pan and United Way of Pioneer Valley teamed up on Tax Free Weekend, August 13th and 14th, to put buses in high visibility locations to collect school supplies for the kids. On Saturday, we brought our Futurliner to Springfield Staples Plaza, and on Sunday we placed one of our motorcoaches at the Century Shopping Center in West Springfield. Volunteers also collected donations both days inside the Holyoke Mall.

Thanks to the generosity of Valley residents, the campaign enjoyed great success in all locations. One highlight of the weekend was the commitment by Staples, Inc. to provide $1500 worth of gift certificates to homeless children in Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, Westfield and West Springfield.

Peter Pan is grateful for the support of our neighbors in helping United Way of Pioneer Valley in this important mission. Thanks to you, all 2000 backpacks will be in the hands of the kids by early September.

For more information about the Stuff The Bus program, or to find out how you can help, visit the UWPV website at uwpv.org or call United Way of Pioneer Valley at (413) 737-2691.

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Just A few of the Many Organizations and Causes Recently Supported by Peter Pan Bus Lines

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Boston Renaissance Charter Public School

The Voices of Renaissance Choir of the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School would like to express its profound gratitude for the important transportation services you have provided. Your help has enabled our 125-student, all-volunteer choir, consisting of children in the 2nd through 6th grades, to perform for many audiences.

Sincerely,

Roger F. Harris, Ph. D.
Superintendent/CEO

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Peter Pan Supports Link To Libraries

On behalf of the Link to Libraries Board – especially the students whose lives you have enriched – I am writing to express our deepest gratitude for your generosity in responding to Link to Libraries needs. Your contribution gives testimony of your commitment to supporting the needs of young people and will help to insure the success of the Link to Libraries program.

Again, thank you for making education matter! Thank you for being the caring community people that you are.

We are truly honored by your support.

Sincerely,

Susan Jaye-Kaplan
Co-Founder

Janet Marie Crimmins
Co-Founder

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MacDuffie School Tornado Relief

The MacDuffie School campus suffered damage of almost unthinkable proportions from the tornado that struck the South End of Springfield. Because of the extensive property damage, it was necessary to find a way for MacDuffie students, most of whom boarded at the school because they come from all over the world, to get off the campus and to a safe haven.

MacDuffie could not use its small buses because most of them were damaged by fallen trees and debris. A call was made to Peter Picknelly, CEO of Peter Pan Bus Lines. Picknelly and his staff worked diligently for almost five hours to figure out the logistics of getting a large bus to the campus in the midst of the destruction. The perseverance of Picknelly and his staff, especially “John” and bus driver “Moses” finally paid off when that beautiful bus pulled up to Maple Street around 10:30 p.m. and loaded the students to travel away from the damaged campus buildings where they had lived.

– SUZANNE ROSENBERG, Member of the Board, The MacDuffie School, Springfield

Don Treeger Republican Staff Photographer

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