FORT VALLEY, Ga. — At a special ceremony on Friday, Blue Bird Corp. recognized the good deeds of the national organization One Million Acts of Kindness by presenting its founder the keys to a 24-foot bus.

It’s a badly needed upgrade from the used, 23-year-old bus the group purchased in 2009. SBF featured the bus in this photo gallery from 2011.

Blue Bird gave the freshly painted, road-ready bus to founder Bob Votruba and his canine sidekick, Bogart. The donation will allow the charity to serve a greater geographic audience and continue to positively impact lives across the nation.

“Earlier this year, we heard from someone who Bob had recently assisted asking if we would consider providing a bus so the organization could continue its mission,” said Phil Horlock, Blue Bird’s president and CEO. “After learning about Bob’s generous accomplishments, especially with schoolchildren, Blue Bird felt compelled to get involved.”

Through One Million Acts of Kindness, Votruba travels the country speaking to public schools, colleges, homeless shelters, hospitals, businesses and more, striving to inspire daily kindness, empathy and peace.                                                         
“I’ve spent my life trying to inspire kindness in others, but being on the receiving end of such kindness humbles me,” said Votruba, whose Twitter handle is KindnessRocks. “I’m eternally grateful to Blue Bird for this donation, which will help us expand our reach with reliable, fuel-efficient transportation.”

This project represents a collaboration between national and local businesses. Blue Bird’s paint supplier, PPG Industries, contributed the paint, and Mid-State RV Center donated the talent for a custom paint job.

For more information about One Million Acts of Kindness, go to www.onemillionactsofkindness.com.