The Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue will received a “retired” van from King County. The Metropolitan King County Council Tuesday unanimously approved the donation of 27 retired Metro Vanpool vans to provide transportation assistance to local governments, community programs, senior citizens and young people.

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.

“I look forward to the van donation program each year,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn, who represents a portion of Bellevue on the council. “It is a small way to support and thank the non-profit agencies that work so hard to provide for the needs that exist out in our communities. King County’s retired vans will supply these agencies with greater resources to carry out their missions.”

“It’s wonderful that these vans can have a second-life helping those in need,” added Council Vice-Chair Jane Hague, who represents another portion of Bellevue. “Not only is it a neat idea, but it demonstrates a type of pragmatic frugality that King County should continue to embrace.”

Since 1995, 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. The groups are responsible for licensing, insuring and maintaining the vehicles.