Mike Baus, the Original Walking School Bus Volunteer

Live United Spotlight  

Mike Baus, the Original Walking School Bus Volunteer 

Jamie Racine grins, holding an umbrella over a group of Knapp Elementary students that she and Mike Baus are walking to school. Mike is bringing up the rear.Dec. 20, 2019

When the LIFT walking school bus kicked off last spring at the Knapp Elementary community school, Mike Baus (featured at the back of the photo) was one of the first to volunteer. In this program, volunteers walk through the neighborhood to collect students and provide them a safe, alternative means of transportation to school. Now that Julian Thomas Elementary has expanded into a community school, it has also adopted the walking school bus, and Mike Baus continues his volunteerism at this location.

 

You were one of the first people to volunteer for Knapp Elementary’s walking school bus. What compelled you to get involved?

After reading an article in the Racine Journal Times about the success of the Milwaukee Walking Bus program, I thought that this outside-the-box idea had some promise. Farther in, the article said Knapp Elementary was looking for volunteers to get its program started. After speaking with United Way Community Schools Manager Jamie Racine, who leads the Racine program, I thought I'd like to volunteer and be part of something new, worthwhile and fun—so I got on the bus, so to speak.

 

Can you share a moment when you knew that your participation in the walking school bus was making a difference? 

It's not just a moment for me; it’s all-encompassing. The impact is obvious when the kids on our route walk with us rather than sit at home. I also see intangible impact in the effect on the parent and child when someone comes to their door to walk them to school as a group. The walking school bus is a positive for the family. Also, the kids and I find the Walking Bus fun and look forward to the walk.

 

Why is it important to you to give back to our community? Are there any other ways you do so?

Besides volunteering with the Walking Bus at Julian Thomas Elementary School this semester, I am also a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery Program, which I've been doing since my retirement four years ago. How we take care of those in need reflects on the community. By volunteering, I join hundreds of other volunteers who continue to make Racine a better place.