6 December 2005
Holiday Train Draws Crowd for Good Cause
Canadian Pacific Railway's Holiday Train made a stop in Sudbury on
Monday night during its 10,000-km trek across Canada and the U.S. in support of local food banks. Thousands of Sudburians
attended the event in which Amanda Stott, The Moffatts and Wayne Rostad entertained.
Sudbury - Normally you can't catch a train in downtown Sudbury, but by some holiday magic
about 2,000 or more residents crowded on to VIA train station on Elgin Street on Monday night, where they caught the 2005 Holiday Train.
No one actually rode the train, but gawkers did catch the brilliant lights, live festive music and holiday spirit that rolled into town
on the rails.
"I think it is just a beautiful idea," said Stacey Kydd, who brought her wide-eyed daughter McKenna, 3, out to
see the train, which helps raised tons of food and loads of cash for food banks across Canada.
"This is a wonderful way to get the community out to support a very worthwhile cause."
Since it began in 1999, the CPR Holiday Train program has collected close to 378 tons of food and more than $1.9 million in Canada and
the United States. All donations go directly to local food banks.
As the train pulled into the historic station, the doors of one of its cars swung open to reveal a lineup of Canadian entertainers,
including Wayne Rostad, The Moffats and Amanda Stott. As they performed, the Sudbury Food Bank collected donations.
"The Holiday Train has really given our community another opportunity to come out together, do something good for the community -
which is offering food to those who are in need at Christmas time," said Geoffrey Lougheed, president of the Sudbury Food Bank.
"I have a lot of friends who absolutely love trains, and when you see it come in, it does bring out the child in you," he
added. "We get so caught up in the many busy things of our lives, but once in a while it's nice to have an event like this that
is all about the joy of being together."
Donations started pouring in before the train arrived, and continued to pile up both in the van and inside the station as greater
numbers of people gravitated to the event.
VIA staff served hot beverages behind the ticket counter and passed out paper trains to kids.
"CPR does such a great job with the Holiday Train," said VIA's Ritchie Mayotte. "We're just glad to be here to offer
people a bit of warmth, out of the goodness of our hearts."
There were at least two Santa Clauses in the crowd - one came with the train, the other is a permanent, year-round presence
in the city.
"We can get into the true spirit of Christmas when this train comes to town," said a man who claimed to be the real St.
Nicholas.
"And the spirit of Christmas is giving, sharing, joy and peace. I wish we had Christmas all year round so we could have peace all
year round."
Emilie Pharand, 7, and Stephanie Pharand, 6, came with their dad, Denis, to see the train. They burst into a rendition of Jingle Bells
when the train pulled into the station, and then fell into a trance as they stared at the bright, colourful lights.
"When I see the reflection of the Christmas lights in the girls' eyes," said Denis, "it just brings a lot of joy to my
heart, and it's a sign that the Christmas season has arrived."
Kydd said the season brings out the spirit of giving in people, but it is important to remember the hungry all year round and to share
what we have with those in need.
Rostad performed a seasonal number and then introduced The Moffats. Girlish screams erupted when the teen idols took the stage.
Two CPR Holiday Trains - one in Canada and one in the United States - will make stops at more than 100 communities. The trains, 13 cars
long, were decorated by CPR staff in Montreal, Chicago, and Calgary. Heading west from Montreal, the train will end its journey
17 Dec 2005 in Port Moody, B.C.
Last year, the Holiday Train Program collected 165 tons of food and raised $375,000. The event usually brings in several tons of food
for the Sudbury Food Bank. Numerous cash donations were being made at the event, said Lougheed.
|
