Rain Did Not Dampen Caltrain & Affiliates' Holiday Toy Drive

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — The annual Caltrain Holiday Train, along with affiliate gift drives, netted 1,420 toys during its recent weekend event, despite the stormy weather, according to organizers.

The glittering train, with Santa Claus and friends onboard, rolled into stations Dec. 7-8 along the Peninsula, as the effort amassed donated toys for children in need.

Approximately 1,161 toys were collected during Holiday Train weekend, with an additional 259 given by San Mateo County Transit District employees and the SamTrans Stuff A Bus Toy Drive event.

The donations will go to the Salvation Army's Toy & Joy Program, Caltrain officials said.

A $15,000 donation made to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program by the Holiday Train enabled the purchase of approximately 1,500 toys for the non-profit organization.

Since the Holiday Train’s inception in 2001, more than 60,000 toys have been distributed to Bay Area children who otherwise might not have received gifts at Christmas, organizers said.

Decking out the Holiday Train was a massive project at the San Francisco rail yard, as volunteers spent every Saturday for two months decorating the train. Ambassadors at train stations passed out candy canes, programs and stickers to attendees, while local artists and vendors provided entertainment at each station before the train arrived.

Organizers extended thanks to its Holiday Train community supporters and sponsors that included the Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation, The Daily Journal, The San Francisco Examiner, Enlighted Inc., Jim’s Handyman Services, Classic Graphics, Peterson Technical Services and the Subway store located in the San Francisco Caltrain Station.

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