Hello RPN,
I post tonight to bring you some bad news, some good news and a request for help. Last Friday, December 19th, unknown parties stole $2000 worth of toys from the Toys for Tots program in Honesdale, PA. Our volunteer group, the Volunteer Railroaders Association (http://www.vratrips.org), found out and together with our friends at the Delaware, Lackawaxen & Stourbridge Railroad, we were able to raise over $600 in donations, buy toys for 57 children and deliver them to a local family who offered their home as a secure collection point. All happening in the last 24 hours. Tonight, there are still approximately 100 children that need our help. If you can, please consider making a donation to the Toys for Tots in Honesdale, PA.
Coordinator: Shari Tirado
Phone: (570) 253-0711
Email: toysfortotshonesdale@gmail.com
Drop off location beginning tomorrow Monday, December 22nd at 8:30AM – 2 Chapel St, Honesdale, PA 18431
http://honesdale-pa.toysfortots.org/…/lco-sites/default.aspx
We will continue to work tirelessly to bring Christmas to Honesdale.

I am glad to hear you had a happy ending after such a vile act was committed against you.

All in all, I don't think the Toys for Tots program gets the attention it deserves as far as the railroad hobbies go. There is a natural connection, right down to the TFT train logo. The model railroad club I belong to just finished a month-long collection drive (bring a toy, get to see our holiday display for free). Up in north Jersey, the M&E/NS and others reprised their toy collection train which was a big success again.

I would imagine there are many integrations between TFT and the preservation community. Any stories to share? What works best? The PR value?

Rob