Toys for Tots Train Chugging Through Morris County This Weekend

Published on December 05, 2017

DONATIONS TO PICATINNY ARSENAL MARINES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO NEEDY KIDS

A special Toys for Tots'' train, operated by the Dover and Rockaway River, Norfolk Southern, and NJ Transit railroads, will make stops at six locations across central and northwestern Morris County this weekend, collecting toys and giving kids a chance to meet Santa.(JPG, 68KB)

All toys (new and unwrapped) that are collected are delivered to the U.S. Marine Reserve Unit at Picatinny Arsenal, whose members will distribute them to needy children in North Jersey for the 2017 holiday season.

The schedule of stops on Saturday include:

  • Rockaway Borough: Potbelly Café, Main Street, 9-10 a.m.
  • Dover: Town Hall, Sussex Street, 10:30-11 a.m.
  • Roxbury (Kenvil): Morris Marine, Route 46, 12 noon to 12:30 p.m.
  • Roxbury (Ledgewood): Mattress Firm, Route 10, 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • Mount Olive (Flanders): Flanders Fire Department, Main Street, 2-3 p.m.

Previous year's train event at Kuiken Brothers in Roxbury(JPG, 79KB) Previous year's train event at Kuiken Brothers in Roxbury

On Sunday, there is one day-long stop:

  • Roxbury: Kuiken Brothers Lumber, Route 10 East, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The New York Susquehanna & Western Railway operated trains last weekend through Passaic and Bergen counties, with stops also in Butler and Sparta.

For more information on this weekend's activities, visit: www.OperationToyTrain.org and https://www.facebook.com/OperationToyTrain/

Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo

This is a truly worthwhile effort that is undertaken in our county each year by volunteers who obviously understand the spirit of the holiday season,'' said Morris County Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo.

We thank the many volunteers and the rail companies, and ask county residents to bring join them this weekend, with a toy in hand for kids in need.''

Since 2009, Operation Toy Train has run a special train through North Jersey and southern New York State during the first two weekend of December. They have collected more than 20,000 donated toys annually for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots Foundation.

At each of the train stops, kids and their families can drop off toys, board the caboose to meet Santa, view a variety of working railroad equipment, and meet members of the Marine Corps and Operation Toy Train.

The railroads generously donate their time, equipment, volunteer staff, and use of their tracks to support this effort.

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