The Toys for Tots train will be making stops throughout New York Saturday, Dec. 13, including Oneonta, to distribute toys to children in the community.
The train is scheduled to make five stops throughout the region, including a kickoff in at the East Binghamton Yard Entrance in Binghamton, Walnut Avenue Crossing in Bainbridge, the Oneonta Gas Avenue Rail Crossing in Oneonta, the Cobleskill Fire Station and the Delanson Fire Station.
It is a collaboration between Norfolk Southern, Amtrak, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and the Capital Region Toys for Tots. It’s scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in Binghamton with the kick off, which will run until 10:30 a.m. before heading to Bainbridge. The train is set to be in Bainbridge from 11:50 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., in Oneonta from 1:10 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., in Cobleskill from 2:55 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. and in Delanson from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This is the 26th annual Toys for Tots Holiday Train distribution across New York, according to the Norfolk Southern Facebook page. Ike Epstein, who represents Norfolk Southern through Jackson Spalding, a public relations agency, said the distribution is geared toward anybody in the area of lower income, to provide an opportunity to “celebrate the holidays with everybody else.”
“It really is our continued commitment to the community,” Epstein said. “Obviously we help power the economy and the supply change, but a lot of these rails move through these communities, and Norfolk Southern doesn’t want to overlook that and really wants to make sure that we are giving back to the community, making sure that we are listening to the community.”
In a Facebook post, Capital Region Toys for Tots invited community members to join, adding that the kick-off celebration in Binghamton is new this year.
While there is no set age range, Epstein said the event is largely for the “younger crowd,” typically drawing kids from about 6 to 12. Items are donated through Toys for Tots, with children in the community receiving a variety of toys from action figures, dolls and board games. Each child would receive at least one toy to start, Epstein said, with further evaluation at each stop based on need and general attendance.
At each municipality, there will be refreshments and giveaways. Epstein said these include donuts, coffee and hot chocolate, with Norfolk Southern-branded blankets to give out. The Toys for Tots Facebook post stated that kids would receive cookies and a stocking stuffer, with the chance to meet the Marines. Additionally, Santa Claus will be there helping to distribute the gifts at each stop, along with local first responders.
The Norfolk Southern Facebook page stated that its D&H heritage locomotive will be part of the experience this year.
“It’s a chance to have the community together, especially during the holidays, which can be a little bit challenging for some folks,” Epstein said. “It’s a chance to really experience the holiday joy while really seeing that community impact first hand.”