VTA operators got a very nice surprise on Christmas Eve when Boy Scout Troop 600 members dropped off homemade holiday cards to thank them for their essential work. As part of a service project, troop members selected front-line workers firefighter, paramedics, hospital workers to make and deliver cards.

While Coach Operator Jatinder Virk works for VTA, his two children came up with the idea independently that they wanted to include public transit workers as well!

“When they told me, I felt proud, got tears in my eyes and felt very humble,” said Virk. “They wanted to do it and I said, ‘go ahead’ and I felt really good about that and encouraged them.”

Virk’s 8-year-old daughter is a Cub Scout and his 12-year-old son is a Boy Scout and they each earned a badge for this service project, which also included other service hours to complete. When Virk got off his shift on Dec. 24, he took his children, with cards in tow, to VTA’s downtown customer service office for them to deliver to fellow operators.

“It was the kids idea to say thank you to all the drivers and staff during this COVID-19 difficult time,” said Virk.