For the Reporter

The Day Care program for Auburn’s Camp Berachah, which has been serving King County Communities for four decades, will be the new home for one of King County’s newest “retirees.”

The Metropolitan King County Council this week unanimously approved the handover of retired Metro vans to the camp as well as other groups throughout the county to provide transportation assistance to local governments, community programs, senior citizens and young people.

“Camp Berachah has been serving the children in the Pacific Northwest for over three decades,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn, who donated the van to the camp. “It is fitting that one of these retired vans will continue to serve the community in the hands of this superb organization.”

“It was great news to hear that Camp Berachah will be the recipient of a vehicle from King County,” said Steve Altick of the Berachah Foundation. “As we celebrate our 40th anniversary of providing programs for families, and summer camps for 4,000 kids each summer, this van is much needed and appreciated. Thank you King County and Councilmember Dunn.”

The retired vans have been part of Metro Transit’s vanpool fleet for at least six years and have reached the end of their service life. When the vans reach this age, they are considered surplus. The vehicles that are not donated are sold.

Since 1996, the County Council has been donating retired vans from Metro’s Vanpool program to local nonprofit organizations to provide transportation for the disabled, low-income, young adults, and senior citizens.