Caltrain Holiday Train a Bonanza for Toys for Tots

Caltrain’s fourth annual holiday train attracted huge crowds to see Santa’s glittering sleigh -- and brought back more than 6,000 toys for needy Bay Area children.

Sponsored by Caltrain and the Golden Gate Railroad Museum, the Trains for Tots Special transported Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their extended family to nine train stations over the Dec. 4-5 weekend.

During each stop, audiences sang along with an on-board chorus and a Salvation Army band, while the holiday characters and Marines got off the elaborately decorated train to greet kids.

People who came to see the train also donated 6,020 toys to the United States Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots Program and the Salvation Army, nearly double the 3,200 that were collected by last year’s holiday train and the highest number in all four years. Monetary donations totaling $749 also were received.

“It was thrilling to see this beautiful train as it came into the Santa Clara station,” said Caltrain board Chairman John McLemore.

“But it’s even more thrilling to see how the community has responded to Trains for Tots and has demonstrated a phenomenal spirit of giving,” McLemore said. “We thank the people who donated toys, as well as the rail staff and volunteers who have made this event such a success.”

The Salvation Army provided a band both nights and, along with the Marines, staffed toy collection barrels and a canteen at the stations. The Marines also contributed considerable behind-the-scenes support as “train-decorators,” making quick work of the labor-intensive job of attaching oversized snowmen, Santas, drummers and ornaments to the rail cars that are used for the holiday train.

“As each year goes by, Trains for Tots is getting bigger and bigger,” said First Sergeant Darrell McNeal, of the 23rd Marine Regiment in San Bruno, who coordinates the Toys for Tots Program. “The Marines thoroughly enjoyed riding the train, decorating the train – even un-decorating the train – and giving back to the community.

“I think it’s a wonderful partnership between the Marines, Caltrain, the Salvation Army and the Golden Gate Railroad Museum,” Sgt. McNeal added.

Toys collected from this year’s holiday train drive will be distributed by the Salvation Army and the St. Vincent de Paul Society to needy children.

"People literally showered us with toys this year," said Claire Dunmore, Salvation Army family services director in San Francisco. "We are thrilled to be able to distribute this record amount of toys to the thousands of children who will come through our doors this Christmas. We are also glad that we will be able to provide toys to other agencies that come to us for help this time of year."

The holiday train would not be possible without all of its sponsors, including Amtrak, IKEA Co., TOMCAT USA, Parsons, Peterson Power Systems, Rail Journeys West, the Port of Redwood City, VBN Architects, radio station KFRC and Debbie Lyn’s Costumes of Sunnyvale.

12/13/04