Holiday spirit and generosity “on track” with CPKC Holiday Train visits ...

The Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Holiday Train made its way through northeast Iowa Monday afternoon/evening, November 24, making stops in both New Albin and Lansing to distribute holiday spirit and some generosity, as depicted in the two photos above of check presentations for $4,000 to local food distribution centers as part of CPKC’s annual mission to help raise money, food and awareness for local food banks along its railway network. In total, the two stops produced nearly 1,000 pounds of donated food and other dry goods, in addition to more than $2,000 in additional funds raised locally to help further that CPKC mission. Pictured in the photo at left above, Brian Hatlan (center of photo) of The Way Station in New Albin accepts a $4,000 check from CPKC representatives during the train’s stop in New Albin. Pictured in the next photo above, Lansing Mayor and Lansing Iowa Food Trust (LIFT) representative Mike Verdon (at left in photo) and Monica Roderick of the Allamakee County Food Shelf in Waukon (at right in photo) accept a $4,000 check from a CPKC representative, the proceeds of which were evenly split between those two entities. The remainder of the surrounding photos, all taken by Julie Berg-Raymond, show some of the crowd in attendance as the train pulled into both New Albin and Lansing to also offer musical performances by Smash Mouth and JJ Wilde.

As the sole recipient of all donations at the New Albin Holiday Train stop, The Way Station reports receipt of 446 pounds of donated food and dry goods, approximately $1,000 in local cash donations and the $4,000 donation from CPKC the day of the Holiday Train event, with another $5,500 in donation funds having been received prior to that November 24 event, for a total of $10,500 in cash donations. “This brings the community and surrounding communities together and offers us the opportunity to show we care,” shared New Albin City Clerk Deb Stantic, who was an initial point of contact for the Holiday Train event in New Albin. “This year the New Albin Elementary School was at the Holiday Train stop and that was so special to everyone - what an incredible imprint for the children to see the world of giving.

“Witnessing the Holiday Train, is to witness the dedication of the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway to select our community, have a wonderful performance and gift the community with an incredible donation. Now add the New Albin Savings Bank and New Albin Improvement League to the festivities with treats and gifts for all, then the Gazebo Park hosting an array of decorations, and you have the best community outpouring of love and happiness for the world we are blessed with here in northeast Iowa.”

In addition to the $4,000 donation from CPKC, the Holiday Train’s stop in Lansing also generated cash donations in the amount of $1,035, as well as 550 pounds of food and other dry goods to be distributed to those in need. Those donation totals were evenly split between both the Lansing Iowa Food Trust (LIFT) and the Allamakee County Food Shelf in Waukon.

“It was great to have the Holiday Train come through Lansing again this year,” shared James Buckhahn, LIFT Board President and Pastor of Lansing United Methodist Church. “As in years past, everything that was collected during the event was split between LIFT and the Allamakee County Food Shelf.”

Even though the Grinch may have been seen (and photographed, at right) during the visit of the Holiday Train, not even the grinchiest of hearts could overshadow the spirit of holiday hope and generosity that was on even stronger display during the Holiday Train events. Even that green grabber of goodness likely couldn’t help but think what the band Smash Mouth (performing in photos below) has so famously put into words and what so fittingly applies to all those who showed their generosity and spirit: “Hey now, you’re an All-Star!”