Members of the community and representatives from the nonprofits were on hand to welcome the Sugar Express as it steamed into town with U.S. Marines and Santa Claus on board to deliver toys. The steam engine made stops in Moore Haven, Clewiston, Belle Glade and Port Mayaca.
“This year has been trying in more ways than one,” said Joseph Hosick, Coordinator for Toys for Tots in Hendry County. “Moments like this remind us to find joy in the midst of that and share it with one another as the people of U.S. Sugar have shared with us.”Bikes, fishing poles, dolls and bilingual books were among the hundreds of toys delivered to each community for the organizations to later distribute as part of their annual Christmas gift distributions. Instead of a sleigh full of toys, Saturday, Santa hauled toys in a custom painted Christmas-red boxcar #1225. At a safe, social distance, the public admired the century-old-train and dozens of children dropped off their letters to Santa (letters will be forwarded to the North Pole).
Video: Courtesy U.S. Sugar Corp
“People are stressed and unsure how they will put gifts under the Christmas tree this year,” said Rachel Terlizzi, Director of Community Impact for United Way in Martin County. “U.S. Sugar’s very generous donation of toys for our community eases that worry.”
Families in need of gifts this holiday season are encouraged to contact their local chapter of Toys for Tots. If you are interested in providing an unwrapped present, please visit Toys for Tots online.
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