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'Elves' gather to pack goodies for Santa Train

Boxes of goodies roll down the assembly line Wednesday evening at Food City on Eastman Road. Volunteers packed up about 15 tons of gifts to be distributed by the Santa Train on Saturday. Photo by Ned Jilton II.

 

KINGSPORT — Hundreds of volunteer “elves” converged at Food City on North Eastman Road on Wednesday, transforming both sides of the store’s front entry area into a bit of a “North Pole” for a few hours.

It was the traditional “packing party” for the Santa Claus Special, more commonly known as the Santa Train. The history-steeped Santa Train, which each year heralds the Christmas season’s arrival in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, is making its 67th annual run this Saturday.

An estimated 15 tons of gifts will be distributed from the train at 14 stops between Shelby, Ky., and downtown Kingsport.

There were two assembly lines running to get the goods packed Wednesday. One was for mixing candy and other foodstuffs to be tossed from the back of the train — but only when the train is stopped — by Santa and his helpers.

Volunteers working the other line had a different task: Sorting toys, books and other items for placement in gender-specific/age-specific gift bags (5,000 total) that will be distributed by Santa’s “ground crew” at each stop.

Those “elves” will leave the train at each stop and take the gift bags to boys and girls in the far reaches of the crowds that typically greet the train — the gift bags are pre-sorted for “big boy, little boy, big girl or little girl.”

The “ground crew” also hands out items like rolls of gift wrap, rather than those items being tossed from the rear of the train as they were in years past.

The length of some of the train’s stops was expanded last year in order to allow enough time for the larger number of “ground crew” members to make their way through the crowds distributing the gifts — and those times are repeated this year.

That means the train will leave Kentucky a little earlier — and pass through some of the scheduled stops earlier — than in years prior to last year.

For a complete schedule of the Santa Train’s stops on Saturday, check today’s GoTriCities, elsewhere in today’s newspaper, or Friday’s Times-News.

The 15 tons of goods readied Wednesday will be loaded on the Santa Train Thursday — and it will depart for Kentucky.

Gifts pour into the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce’s offices year-round for distribution on the train, coming from across the nation — this year donations came in from as far away as California, Massachusetts, Michigan and Louisiana.

A lot of people donate handmade items for the train each year, and this year is no different, said Bob Feagins, Kingsport chamber executive director of communications.

Feagins said one such donation this year came from two churches in Leesburg, Va. — two men from the churches arrived at the chamber one day driving a van-load of handmade throws and afghans.

“They dropped them off and turned around and drove back home the same day,” Feagins said.

Among the larger donations this year: Kids Wish Network donated more than $130,000 in toys to the Santa Train.

“This donation from Kids Wish Network will make the holidays much brighter for children in the area,” said Tori Kaplan, director of corporate citizenship and special events at CSX. “We are grateful for their support.”

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized charitable organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children.

Wynonna Judd, who grew up in Ashland, Ky., is scheduled to be on board the train this year to help Santa spread holiday cheer.

The Santa Train is co-sponsored by CSXT, Food City and the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce.

CSX and the train’s other sponsors continue their efforts this year to heighten safety awareness for the event.

“I’d like to send out a special reminder to all grandparents, parents and children who will be coming out to see Santa,” Kaplan said earlier this week. “Please be careful around the tracks. Safety is our priority at CSX, and we want everyone to have a safe and happy Santa Train experience.”

Santa only takes new clothes or toys on the train. Gifts or monetary donations may be sent to: Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, Attn: Santa Train, 151 E. Main St., Kingsport, Tenn. 37660.

All monetary donations go toward the Santa Train Scholarship, which is awarded to a high school senior along the 110-mile Santa Train route.

The recipient is chosen based on grade point average, extracurricular activities, financial need, work records and an adviser’s recommendation. This is a four-year scholarship worth $5,000. To date, the Kingsport chamber has given 26 scholarships totaling $130,000.

Last year, Food City presented a check for $7,352.41 to representatives of the Kingsport Chamber Foundation to benefit the Santa Train Scholarship — representing the proceeds from sales of a local author’s book about the Santa Train.

The book is back again this year, the chamber and Food City announced earlier this month.

“The Santa Train Tradition” — written by local author Leigh Anne W. Hoover, a longtime Kingsport resident, and illustrated by Carol Bates Murray of Marion, Va. — made its debut last Christmas season in Food City stores along the 110-mile route. Back by popular demand, the book has been reprinted with a new green cover — making the original red cover now a limited edition.

“The Santa Train Tradition” tells the story of 7-year-old Ben Massey and his annual family tradition of walking to meet the Santa Train on the chilly Saturday morning before Thanksgiving.

“Capturing the essence of this renowned, Appalachian Christmas tradition in a children’s book has been my privilege and my pleasure,” said Hoover. “I hope that ‘The Santa Train Tradition’ will become a treasured holiday keepsake for many families.”

The book costs $11.99. Books will be available until Jan. 2 at Food City locations — and can also be purchased at the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce.

Again this year, a percentage of the book’s proceeds will benefit the Santa Train Scholarship and the Literacy Council of Kingsport.

“We are so proud to have the opportunity to again aid in the support of such a great tradition that benefits so many of our area children,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and CEO. “We would love to give back even more this year.”

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