The Bus Stop Club has been selected by Anthem Blue Cross as a 2024 Whole Health Hero. The Anthem Whole Health Hero is an award given to organizations that have demonstrated innovation and leadership in building the whole health of the Capital region. Read on to learn more about The Bus Stop Club in a Q&A with their executive director, Angela Tobin.
What is the mission of your organization?
Tobin: The mission of the Bus Stop Club is to provide support and family memories through encouragement for the siblings of children with serious illness or developmental, physical or intellectual disabilities.
What are your organization’s goals?
Tobin: To reach as many siblings as possible and to ensure our siblings feel understood, valued and connected to each other and the community.
What is the history of your organization?
Tobin: In January 2005, Dr. Brian Sheridan, a third-year pediatric resident at the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center, launched the Bus Stop Club. Sheridan’s insight into the tremendous impact the disease process has on the family as a whole began while working as a camp counselor at Camp Nassau, a YMCA-directed day camp. Throughout his 10-year annual summer commitment, he was given the opportunity to work with chronically ill children. Twelve years later, and nearing completion of the third year of his pediatric residency, he has dealt firsthand with the myriad challenges faced by not only the child diagnosed with illness, but the parents and siblings as well.
He recognized the parents of chronically ill children have benefited tremendously from a family-centered philosophy in providing comprehensive care for the whole child. His goal, however, was to establish a program solely for siblings: one that would provide support through preventative intervention mechanisms designed to enhance sibling adaptation and enable them to remain emotionally healthy and well adjusted in order to cope with one of the worst hardships any family could endure.
At the Bus Stop Club, we know illness and disability places tremendous hardship on the entire family and love, attention and quality care is of the foremost concern. We also know siblings face their own isolation and hardship, and we recognize it takes a village to support our children. We make it our mission to provide safe, fun and therapeutic activities to siblings and help them grow, thrive and feel understood.
What services does your organization provide to the community?
Tobin: Bus Stop Club is unique in that it focuses on the child in the home without the diagnosis. We are a local organization that creates a safe place and opportunity for these children to come together to meet and build rapport and support with not only staff, but with one another. We teach them how to express themselves, relieve and cope with stress through fun activities, outings and events.
Cassie Papandrea
What impact do your services have on the community?
Tobin: We are helping the community by providing support to children who have a sibling with chronic illness or special needs. We're one of, if not the only, organization that provides this type of service. We are bringing children and families together from different schools, communities and neighborhoods so they can learn from each other and become each other's support.
What volunteer opportunities are available?
Tobin: Volunteers are often needed at our monthly sibling sessions to assist with handing out supplies and supervising the children. We also have volunteer opportunities to assist with all of our fundraisers (set up/break down, gathering donations and sponsorships).
What fundraising events does your organization have in the next 12 months?
Tobin: The Annual Bus Stop Club Gala was on March 22 at Franklin Plaza in Troy. Two hundred-plus guests joined us at our largest fundraising event. There were live and silent auction items and we provided food, drink and entertainment.
Our annual golf outing will be September 10 at Fairways of Halfmoon in Mechanicville. About 120 golfers join us on the greens to raise money towards our programming. We have a buffet-style meal, contests and raffles during the event.
In December, we hold a fun holiday wreath-making fundraising event. A local crafter joins us and walks us through a wreath-making class. This takes place at Yankee Trails located in Rensselaer. The guests create a beautiful wreath while enjoying a glass of wine and each other's company.
Top Executive
Dr. Brian Sheridan, President/Founder
Board Members
Dr. Brian Sheridan (Schoolhouse Rd. Pediatrics)
Joseph DiBella (DiBella Financial Group)
Steve Thomas (Lavelle & Finn)
Allison Pillans (Trustco Bank)
Stephen Tobin (Yankee Trails)
Meagan Handford (SparkShoppe!)
Cory Jones (CJ Insurance)
Jaime Ralston (Spectrum Reach)
Richard Rothwell (Access Therapy Group)
Kim Matthews (Parent)
Patricia Shevy (The Shevy Law Firm)
What geographic areas does your organization serve?
Tobin: We currently provide support in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady Counties.
