STA Maine Employees Help Raise $100K for Veterans

PORTLAND, Maine — A school bus company here recently took part in an event that raised $100,000 for veterans who were injured while serving.

Hudson Bus Lines in Lewiston, Maine, a member of the Student Transportation of America (STA) family of companies, recently partnered with the Travis Mills Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed to benefit and assist post 9/11 veterans who have been injured in active duty or as a result of their service, on the event.

The foundation recently held a “Plane Pull” event at the Portland International Jetport to raise funds for a retreat for veterans. FedEx donated the use of one of its Boeing 757 planes for teams to pull. There were 24 teams of 20 people each that pledged funds and competed in pulling the plane. Each team had to pull the plane 10 feet, and the team that pulled it in the fastest time won the contest. Hudson Bus Lines donated nine buses and drivers and provided other volunteers to transport nearly 3,000 people for the fundraiser, which raised $100,000.

Retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne was critically injured on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan by an IED (improvised explosive device) while on patrol, losing portions of both legs and both arms, according to the Travis Mills Foundation website. He is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries.

In 2013 Mills and his wife Kelsey started the foundation, which provides veterans and their families an all-inclusive, all-expenses paid, barrier-free vacation to Maine where they can participate in adaptive activities, bond with other veteran families, and rest and relax in the outdoors.

“Travis Mills is doing so much good for so many active soldiers and retired veterans,” said Peter Oullette, terminal manager for Hudson Bus Lines. “He is upbeat, positive, and larger than life. He travels across the country as a motivational speaker and raising money for the foundation. He has served for us, and now it is time for us to serve him for his sacrifices.”