SMART To Host Annual Holiday Express Toy Drive

SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTIES, CA — SMART is hosting its annual Holiday Express Toy Drive aboard all trains this Saturday.

During the Dec. 3 Toy Drive, each adult passenger who brings a new, unwrapped toy to donate, rides free. Children accompanied by an adult also ride free that day. The entire community is invited to bring a toy and enjoy the festive cheer aboard SMART’s Holiday Express. Passengers can donate a toy on board any SMART train operating on Dec. 3. Two trips that day will feature Santa Claus on board.

Santa will be on train trips 3 and 4. Trip 3 departs southbound from the Sonoma County Airport Station at 9:31 a.m. and Trip 4 departs northbound from the Larkspur Station at 11:18 a.m.

Everyone is welcome to create holiday memories by snapping a photo with Santa on board the train. Santa's holiday helpers will be on the trains celebrating the season and accepting new, unwrapped toys to give to those in need. Donated toys will go to the Toys for Tots campaign.

Free parking for the event is available at the following stations: Sonoma County Airport, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma Downtown, Novato San Marin, Novato Downtown, Novato Hamilton, and Larkspur.

"SMART’s Holiday Express Toy Drive has become a beloved annual tradition," said David Rabbitt, chair of the SMART Board of Directors. "The Toy Drive is a great way to give to families and children in need, while also enjoying an outing on the train. We encourage all to ride SMART this holiday season to visit local shopping and dining, and to enjoy the outdoor beauty of the North Bay."

The festively decorated Holiday Express remains in operation through Dec. 30. Community members can take the SMART train to attend community holiday celebrations and visit festively decorated downtown dining and shopping districts along the rail line in Larkspur, San Rafael, Novato, Petaluma, Cotati, Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa.