Children's Fundraiser Gaining Speed
Christmas Train Rides Will Feature Santa, Holiday Spirit
Last updated Friday, November 21, 2008 7:38 PM CST in Our Town
By Sara Sullivan
THE MORNING NEWS
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SPRINGDALE -- The smell of spiced cider and the recorded sound of jingling bells filled a warm train car parked outside the train depot Tuesday.
Beside swaths of faux greenery suspended over the windows, Santa Claus briefly primped his sparklingly white beard before helping organizers kick off the sixth annual Children's Christmas Train fundraiser, presented by the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad and J.B. Hunt Transport.
Santa will visit passengers riding the Children's Christmas Train on Dec. 6, as it makes trips between Springdale, Rogers and Fayetteville. Tickets for the Christmas excursions cost $10 for adults and $5 for children, and will benefit KIDCARE and the Children's Safety Center.
Organizers said they've already sold about 265 tickets, which can be purchased at the depot or online at www.arkansasmissouri-rr.com.
Before the excursions -- which are scheduled to depart at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 a.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. -- various free activities will be available for passengers and non-ticket-holders, said Amber Montoya, one of the event's coordinators from J.B. Hunt. There will be Christmas games, crafts and face-painting as well as children's choir performances 30 minutes prior to each departure. Photos with Santa and refreshments will be available for purchase, she said, and organizers will be selling chances to win a pink motor scooter.
"It's a 100 percent volunteer effort, so everything that we raise goes directly to the children's charities," Montoya said.
The Children's Safety Center provides a child-friendly environment where law enforcement officers, health professionals and children's advocates can come together to aid child victims of physical and sexual abuse and neglect.
KIDCARE offers after-school and summer care to area children who would not otherwise be supervised, helping the children to develop character, leadership and a sense of community through instruction, field trips, educational games and visiting speakers.
Dale Wolf, director of KIDCARE, said the organization is honored to be involved in the family-friendly Children's Christmas Train fundraiser for the second year.
"To have an event where children can come together with their parents ... is exactly what we're about," he said.
Volunteers will be needed to man the activities at the depot, Montoya said, and a few will ride the trains, serving refreshments and encouraging passengers to carol. "It's a great opportunity to come out and have fun and interact with people in the community and support some really good children's charities."
People interested in donating some of their time can find out more information about the Children's Christmas Train at www.volunteermatch.org or by e-mailing Montoya at amber_montoya@jbhunt.com.
The whole event is really enjoyable, said Russell Kelly, a conductor for the railroad who has worked the fundraiser for three years.
"The children are so enthusiastic, it influences us. All of us," he said. "There's a spirit about it."
At A Glance
Children's Christmas Train Fundraiser
Date: Dec. 6
Location: Arkansas & Missouri Railroad Train Depot, 306 E. Emma Ave., Springdale
Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for children
For more information about the event, call 725-4017.
For more information about the fundraiser's beneficiaries, visit KIDCARE's Web site at www.springdalecya.com or the Children's Safety Center's Web site at www.childrenssafetycenter.org.
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