KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern has launched a challenge grant fundraiser in connection with the return of its KCS Holiday Express train, matching donations through Dec. 16 to benefit The Salvation Army.
KCS CEO Patrick J. Ottensmeyer said Tuesday that the railroad would donate $2 for every $1 raised by the Holiday Express project, up to an additional $100,000. “Please consider a gift to help The Salvation Army Help families in need,” Ottensmeyer said.
So far this year, the Holiday Express has raised almost $150,000; over its 21 years, the project has raised over $2.6 million. Tax-deductible donations can be made here.
The Holiday Express has its roots in the Santa Train, which ran on a segment of the KCS network in 1997. It offers essential items like coats, hats, and gloves to needy children, using retired freight equipment transformed by volunteers.
After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Holiday Express began the public portion of its 2022 tour on Friday, Nov. 24, in Monroe, La., and will conclude its tour at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., with public display Dec. 14-18, with public-walk through tours available by reservation on Saturday, Dec. 17. The full tour schedule is available here; more on the Union Station display and tour reservations is available at the Union Station website.
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Kudo’s to KCS. Lets hope this continues post merger and post strike.