(The following story by Trevor Brown appeared on the News Leader website on December 7.)
STAUNTON, Va. — Dozens of children and families crowded the Staunton Amtrak station Saturday as the Buckingham Branch locomotive and its red caboose slowed along the tracks.
The anticipation and frenzy among the children only heightened when none other than Santa stepped off and began distributing candy canes to the young onlookers.
The event, hosted by the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Toys for Tots program, sought to raise awareness of the Toys for Tots program and encourage families to contribute to the cause, said member Chris Green.
“With the current economic challenges of the times, it is important as ever to involve everyone and help raise the community’s spirit,” he said. “We can do this by giving traditional and educational toys to those who need them the most.”
Staunton resident Janine Vallee, who arrived at the station with her granddaughter, Peyton Moore, said she was happy to see a group supporting such a worthy cause.
“It’s great to help kids who might not otherwise be able to get anything for the holidays,” she said. “And obviously, Peyton is very excited to be able to see Santa.”
After Santa greeted the children at the Amtrak station near the site of the former Pullman restaurant on Middlebrook Avenue, he was escorted by the Marine Corps League Stonewall Detachment No. 330 in Staunton to Pufferbellies Toys and Books.
Susan Blanton, one of the owners, said the store offered 10 percent discounts Saturday on all toys purchased that were donated to Toys for Tots.
“I think sometimes since we are surrounded by all these toys that we forget for some families it is difficult to buy them,” she said. “Toys are very important to kids’ developments and it is something they actually need not just want.”