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[4]By Rachel Bell [5]
BELLEVILLE – Close to 300 people gathered in front of the railway tracks at Keegan Parkway to greet the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train [6] on Monday.
The train started its journey on Friday in Quebec, and will continue until it reaches final destination, Port Coquitlam, B.C., on Dec. 17. At each stop, musicians put on a half-hour show for those gathered to watch, and people are invited to make cash and food donations to help others in need.
The Holiday Train pulled into Belleville at 9 a.m. City resident Jennifer Coleman was there for the first time.
“The crowd was amazing,” Coleman said. “I didn’t really know what to expect, having never been here before.”
The donations made at each stop stay in the community where they are made, which Coleman said she appreciates.
“I like how the money stays in the community that it stops in. It’s a nice kickoff for the holiday season and it brings the community together.”
Belleville resident Sarah Taylor, who brought her toddler, said: “It’s a great cause and it’s great for the kids – my son loves it. Everyone is so busy thinking about Christmas gifts, and no one is really paying attention to the people in need. And there are a lot of people in Belleville struggling.”
The crowd was entertained by Canadian rock and country singer-songwriter Dallas Smith [7], who performed some of his original songs, including Somebody Somewhere and his new single, Autograph. Smith was joined by the rock band the Odds [8] for classic holiday tunes including Jingle Bell Rock, Run, Run Rudolph and Here Comes Santa Claus.
Wayne Todd was among those enjoying the music, and agreed with Coleman that the event is a great start to the holiday season.
“I think it’s good for the community. It gets the people out, and kids and all that – they really enjoy it and the spirit of Christmas,” he said.
The event raised $7,447 – $447 more than last year’s total. In addition, 1,012 pounds of food items were donated. All of it will go to to Gleaners Food Bank Quinte. [9]
Susanne Quinlan, the director of operations at Gleaners, says a portion of the money will go toward quality fruits and vegetables, and to fix some equipment.
“Our industrial fridge and freezer went down this year and we need that for milk, etc. So this came at a good time.”
This is the 18th year for the Holiday Train, according to Salem Woodrow, a spokesperson for the program.