The Christmas Train Chugs on during this Holiday Season.
We are very pleased to have friends of the Christmas Train continue helping children during this holiday season. Two weeks ago the orphanages in Tecate received toys, school supplies and blankets for 150 children. Two of these orphanages do not have heat. In addition, small fiestas are being held in the Tecate rural areas next week and in January 2008. This is possible through the past administration of Tecate that identified some children that need the help. The Christmas Train had about 2000 toys and school supplies stored in the warehouse of the social service department in Tecate (DIF) which aided this effort.
This week toys, school supplies, books, blankets, knitted hats were distributed to over 800 children at schools in Tijuana . These schools have dirt floors, no electricity and teach on double shifts. We want to thank Jose and Sylvia Cuervo for this out reach. Jose is a member of the National Latino Peace Officers Association and works for San Diego County District Attorneys Office. As many of you know the NLPOA provided our security on the train and in the stadium for the Christmas Train over this last decade. In addition the Mayor's wife of Tijuana attended the celebration at the school and was most grateful. Jose and Sylvia do this work under an organization they started, "Gift of a Smile". Today Dolores Ventura and young members of the American Society of Civil Engineers are delivering to an orphanage in Ensenada for another 150.
We want to thank the employees of the San Diego Environmental Health Department for collecting 5000 school notebooks and pencils for distribution to the students. These educational aids will continue to be distributed all year as requests are made.
The Christmas Train over the last decade has helped or benefited more than 50,000 children under the age of 12. This could not have been accomplished without your support. Thank you on behalf of the children.
Each year of the Christmas Train has had its challenges, washed out train tracks, tunnels that burned and changes in event locations. Also, four changes in the City of Tecate administration. But no challenge like this year with Charlie 's brain tumor. In addition the fires, a new administration in Tecate, and new importation rules for non-profits had to be faced this year. But we think there is still reason to celebrate. The Christmas Train started with a gift of a twenty dollar bill and the word's "help a child." Who would have ever thought the twenty dollars would grow so much and would help so many children and families.
Merry Christmas, and God bless you all.
Our love,
Charlie and Margaret |
