Silicon Valley Community Foundation Steps up to Bring Back Caltrain Holiday Train

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December 21, 2011

In a festive news conference that included an appearance by Santa Claus, Silicon Valley Community Foundation and Caltrain today announced a new partnership that will bring back the beloved holiday train in 2012.

“We’re delighted to help bring back a regional event that has meant so much to so many over the years,” said Emmett D. Carson, Ph.D., CEO and president of Silicon Valley Community Foundation. “At the community foundation, we create community and make philanthropy stronger and this partnership embodies both the creation of community and the spirit of philanthropy. We know that next year, the holiday season will be brighter and that communities from San Francisco to San Jose will come together to celebrate and give to those who are less fortunate.”

The new Caltrain Holiday Train presented by Silicon Valley Community Foundation will launch in 2012 as the two organizations work together to revive a holiday tradition that raises money and toys for underserved children.

As the lead sponsor, SVCF will help raise money for the charitable beneficiaries of the train, and will provide strategic and technical fundraising assistance to ensure the future success of the event. SVCF and Caltrain will work together to encourage communities along the route to participate in the spirit of giving that is at the heart of the event and the holiday season.

“The Holiday Train is an event that is near and dear to our hearts,” said Caltrain Executive Director Mike Scanlon. “We are very grateful to Silicon Valley Community Foundation for their support and look forward to a long, rewarding partnership.”

The glittering show train, which has delighted children of all ages since 2001, has been on a two-year hiatus due to financial considerations. But thanks to the generous support of SVCF, the world’s largest toy train will visit selected Caltrain stations next December, bringing holiday joy and music and entertainment of the season.

More importantly, the special train helps generate toy donations for the Salvation Army and the United States Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots Program. People who come see the train are encouraged to help make the holidays brighter for needy Bay Area children by donating toys. Since its inception in 2001, people have donated more than 45,000 toys to Caltrain’s Holiday Train to distribute to needy Bay Area families.

At each of the train’s 20-minute station stops, people can enjoy onboard carolers and a brass band. Santa, Mrs. Claus and their extended family get off the train to greet kids and pose for pictures. Local musical groups offer entertainment for families waiting for the arrival of the train at many of the Caltrain stations.

The Holiday Train relies heavily on volunteers who string the thousands of lights that decorate the train and are rewarded by the number of toys that are donated, as well as seeing the delighted faces of children.

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About Caltrain:

Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides commuter rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with limited commute service to Gilroy. Caltrain serves nearly 45,000 riders every weekday.

For more information on fares and schedules, call 1-800-660-4287 (TTY 650-508-6448), or visit www.caltrain.com. “Like” Caltrain on Facebook at www.facebook.com/caltrain.

About Silicon Valley Community Foundation:

Silicon Valley Community Foundation is a catalyst and leader for innovative solutions to our region’s most challenging problems. Serving all of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, the community foundation has $2 billion in assets under management and more than 1,500 philanthropic funds. The community foundation provides grants through donor advised and corporate funds in addition to its own endowment funds. The community foundation serves as a regional center for philanthropy, providing donors simple and effective ways to give locally and around the world.

Find out more at www.siliconvalleycf.org