The Shadow
SANTA EXPRESS — Santa Claus, his Marine Corps escort and the Buckingham Branch Toys for Tots Santa Express Train visited Millboro on Saturday, Dec. 8. At left, Corey Williams of the Millboro General Store brings boxes of toys to the train collected for Toys for Tots. At right, dozens of children meet Santa during his Millboro visit. The Marine Corps League Rockbrige Patriots, which is based in Lexington for responsible for the toy drive. Santa made other stops in Goshen, Craigsville and Staunton. Wayne Anderson served as the coordinator for the Bath County and Goshen stops.
SANTA EXPRESS — Santa Claus, his Marine Corps escort and the Buckingham Branch Toys for Tots Santa Express Train visited Millboro on Saturday, Dec. 8. At left, Corey Williams of the Millboro General Store brings boxes of toys to the train collected for Toys for Tots. At right, dozens of children meet Santa during his Millboro visit. The Marine Corps League Rockbrige Patriots, which is based in Lexington for responsible for the toy drive. Santa made other stops in Goshen, Craigsville and Staunton. Wayne Anderson served as the coordinator for the Bath County and Goshen stops.
•
•
•
•
MILLBORO – Right on time, the whistle blew and Santa rolled into Millboro on the Buckingham Branch Railroad Santa Express, stopping in front of Millboro General Store where dozens of children and their parents waited patiently for Santa to stop and distribute candy to all the good girls and boys.
As Santa stepped down from the train on a crisp Saturday morning recently, eager children crowded around as he distributed candy to each child.
Accompanying Santa was the VMI brass quartet who played a variety of Christmas carols as Santa visited with each child and family. The quartet which was led by Col. John Brodie, director of music for VMI, included VMI cadets Clarke Chen (Hawaii), Rob Cole (Virginia) and Tyler Davis (Iowa).
As children received candy from Santa, many also gave new toys as donations to Toys for Tots so that other children could also have a nice Christmas.
“The Toys for Tots Santa Express has become an annual event thanks to the generosity of the Buckingham Branch Railroad,” explained Wayne Anderson, Rockbridge Patriots Marine Corps League Toys for Tots Coordinator for Bath and Goshen. “The Buckingham Branch Railroad underwrites the entire cost of the train and the employees volunteer their time the day of the event. Without them this would not be possible.”
“So many people make Toys for Tots a success,” explained Tom McCraw, commandant, Rockbridge Patriots Marine Corps League. “The generosity of individuals in our community is heartwarming and we want to thank everyone who participates in this program – whether it is to accept a donation box, make or donation of a new toy, or make sure we know how to reach a family in need – we thank you.”
The Santa Express went on to stop at Goshen, Craigsville and Staunton on Saturday, Dec. 8.
Toys for Tots is a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and Marine Corps League which donates toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them Christmas gifts. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Maj. William L. Hendricks.
The Marine Corps League Rockbridge Patriots 1351 based in Lexington and serving the Augusta/Bath/Rockbridge area was responsible for the toy drive in Millboro, Goshen and Craigsville. Wayne Anderson served as the coordinator for the Millboro and Goshen stops.
