pipingkid
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Since I first set foot on the big ol' green bus that was the original 'To The Bottom And Back' bus on New Years Eve to hand out condoms, I knew there would be something lasting about it. I thought about what a great concept it was- getting people to and from bars safely in Richmond and not have to worry about driving or getting accosted on the streets while inebriated. Then people started getting on the bus itself. What a fun atmosphere!!! People get on and start chatting away with each other. They start singing with the music, start feeling the community growth in ways that you NEVER see on public transportation. Since that time the bus has grown, now there are 4 buses, covering not only VCU- the largest school in the state, but also University of Richmond- the wealthiest. Absolutely astounding! To cover both sides of the tracks and have people of vastly different social economic classes enjoying the same free service!
In that time I've used the bus many time myself. I've hosted for them by not only handing out condoms- but making sure people get on and off safely and answer the phone to get pickups...now I'm a driver, thanks to them helping me get my CDL, and I also run special projects for 2BnB. All in a year since the inception. Now at the end of that year we will be running a special all day round trip to 'Best Friends Day 9'....it is the end of summer for Richmond (and gaining popularity all up and down the East Coast) and will truly cement us in the hearts of all Richmonders. Thankfully I kept a reserve of 200 condoms from my original thousand...it won't be enough but it should help! To The Bottom and Back has brought school fraternity/sororities to ME, begging to get condoms, begging to be on the bus, and all from that one simple connection. As long as I keep getting condoms sent, I will continue to offer people the opportunity to be safe/have choices in their sexual health. I also will continue to drive until every last inebriated person makes it home safe.
