BAKERSFIELD, CA - Thousands of people are affected by the GET Bus strike -- many depending on the transportation to and from work. One of those riders -- a local man with Cerebral Palsy -- says he relies entirely on the bus to get around town.
Tanner Thompson says he hasn't been able to work since the strike started. To make matters worse, earlier this month, his cell phone was stolen while he was riding the bus.
As there's no end to the strike in sight -- people are rallying to support Thompson and raising money to help him.
His mom Darla Thompson said, "He's been able to do a lot more than I ever thought, when he was a young boy. He's been determined to be independent and fend for himself."
He lives on his own and supports himself by selling coupon books all over Bakersfield.
Bakersfield Police Sgt. Joe Grubbs said, "He rides the GET bus pretty much everywhere he goes."
GET Bus Driver April Lopes said, "We have him all the time. Especially in the 22 route. He's always there. He's really a nice person. We all love him. The way he is, really respectful."
Lopes was driving the get bus earlier this month when three teens stole Thompson's cell phone on the bus.
Sgt. Grubbs said, "We got some video of the girls, put that information out. Their parents came out, identified them. We arrested all three of the girls for grand theft and conspiracy."
As people heard about the misfortune, Sgt. Grubbs says the department started receiving dozens of phone calls about helping Thompson.
"The great thing about Bakersfield is they will come to somebody's aid when they've been done wrong," said Sgt. Grubbs.
Ashley O'Neil is one of those people.
"When I heard about the story, it broke my heart and I wanted to do something about it," she said.
O'Neil called on her beauty school classmates to donate extra money they make to Thompson.
"A lot of us are vowing for the next two weeks to give anything we get to Tanner," said O'Neil.
Thompson says he's overwhelmed by the community's support.
"Thank you so much," he said.
Thompson says he is in favor of GET workers getting a raise and he hopes the strike is over soon.
Donations can be sent to Tanner Thompson, c/o Darla Thompson, 4865 Truxtun Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93309.
Tanner Thompson says he hasn't been able to work since the strike started. To make matters worse, earlier this month, his cell phone was stolen while he was riding the bus.
As there's no end to the strike in sight -- people are rallying to support Thompson and raising money to help him.
His mom Darla Thompson said, "He's been able to do a lot more than I ever thought, when he was a young boy. He's been determined to be independent and fend for himself."
He lives on his own and supports himself by selling coupon books all over Bakersfield.
Bakersfield Police Sgt. Joe Grubbs said, "He rides the GET bus pretty much everywhere he goes."
GET Bus Driver April Lopes said, "We have him all the time. Especially in the 22 route. He's always there. He's really a nice person. We all love him. The way he is, really respectful."
Lopes was driving the get bus earlier this month when three teens stole Thompson's cell phone on the bus.
Sgt. Grubbs said, "We got some video of the girls, put that information out. Their parents came out, identified them. We arrested all three of the girls for grand theft and conspiracy."
As people heard about the misfortune, Sgt. Grubbs says the department started receiving dozens of phone calls about helping Thompson.
"The great thing about Bakersfield is they will come to somebody's aid when they've been done wrong," said Sgt. Grubbs.
Ashley O'Neil is one of those people.
"When I heard about the story, it broke my heart and I wanted to do something about it," she said.
O'Neil called on her beauty school classmates to donate extra money they make to Thompson.
"A lot of us are vowing for the next two weeks to give anything we get to Tanner," said O'Neil.
Thompson says he's overwhelmed by the community's support.
"Thank you so much," he said.
Thompson says he is in favor of GET workers getting a raise and he hopes the strike is over soon.
Donations can be sent to Tanner Thompson, c/o Darla Thompson, 4865 Truxtun Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93309.