Just one year ago, only 10 children were signed up to be transported after school from Greywolf Elementary School to the Boys & Girls Club in Sequim.

Now, according to volunteer Stephen Rosales, 140 Greywolf students have requested a spot on the bus to make the trek from the school to the club each afternoon.

“If they took the (regular) school bus they could get here, but not until 4:30 p.m.,” Rosales explained. “We serve meals before that time, so they’d have to miss it.”

So Rosales, along with club employee Jim Hall, recently studied for and passed commercial driver’s license tests, which include a 70-question written test and a driving test, and are required for any driver who wants to operate a vehicle that holds more than 15 passengers. Rosales and Hall are now able to transport the children in the

54-passenger bus.

To help them do so, Northwest Interior Design Center owner Sean Ryan donated half of the purchase price of a brand-new bus.

“We provide transportation at no cost to the children if they are members,” Rosales said. “It was wonderful of Sean to help us buy another bus for the kids.”

Rosales explained that there is just one problem: If Hall or Rosales need to take a day off, there are no backup drivers to help out.

“We’re looking for anyone who possibly already has a commercial driver’s license,” he said. “We could really use someone to help drive these kids over here if something comes up with Jim or I,” Rosales said.

In early 2007, the Carroll C. Kendall Unit received a 20-passenger bus, donated by Suncrest Village Retirement. Rosales added that the club employees and volunteers are looking to begin advertising on the buses to help pay the costs to maintain the vehicles.

If you are interested in becoming a backup driver for Sequim’s Boys & Girls Club or for more information about advertising, call Rosales at 683-8095.