Student transportation provider Durham School Services supplied charter transportation services for the 2022 National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports event hosted solely for military veterans with disabilities. The event seeks to foster wider respect for all people with disabilities and took place in Tempe, Arizona. It featured over 600 military veteran participants.

Transportation service to and from the event and airport was provided by Durham School Service’s Casa Grande team. DSS’ sister locations from surrounding school bus and transit locations also assisted by removing seats from the school buses to accommodate the wheelchairs and providing extra safety straps to secure the passengers in their wheelchairs.

Providing transportation for the event was especially meaningful because of Durham School Services’ long history, specialization, and commitment in providing special needs transportation, which dates back to more than 100 years ago.

“It was really 'all hands-on deck' for this event. We couldn’t have pulled it off without the help from our sister school bus and transit locations,” said Freddy Jimmy Chavez, Casa Grande general manager. “It was rewarding and an honor to be able to give back to our military veterans and beyond inspiring to see their determination and competitive spirit. They have sacrificed and displayed so much bravery for our country, we are glad to have helped make the event successful.”

“I am very proud of our school bus and transit teams for lending their support to not only their community, but to each other,” said Reno Navarette, vice president of customer success for National Express LLC (Durham School Services’ parent company). “Our team members really stepped up to provide assistance for the event, knowing how meaningful it was to the participants and their families. Despite the blistering heat and short preparation time, our team members were just happy for the opportunity to lend a helping hand to the heroes of our country.”