On its 25th annual cross Canada tour, the CPKC Holiday Train delivered not only festive cheer but also significant donations to local food banks.
Kicking off the Shuswap track, the festively lit locomotive rolled into Sicamous just after 5 p.m. last Friday, Dec. 15, with a $5,500 cheque from CPKC for the Eagle Valley Community Support Society (EVCSS), which administers the food bank.
“Congratulations on 25 years of doing this and connecting the nation,” said Pam Beech, Sicamous councillor and the EVCSS president.
“It’s beautiful, thank you to CP.”
Also in attendance was Mayor Colleen Anderson, MP Mel Arnold and MLA Greg Kyllo, with each addressing the large crowd gathered trackside.
While acknowledging the CPKC donation, they also thanked the public their contributions of food bank items that were also accepted during the event.
In addition to the charitable component of the train, it also entertained with performances by Canadian recording artists Kiesza, who has a family cabin in the Shuswap, and Tyler Shaw on his first – but not last, he said – visit to Sicamous.
Their high energy sets had the crowd dancing and singing along, with a few in the front row receiving high fives.
After the half hour show, the train wended its way west, with a stops in Canoe and Salmon Arm, where $10,000 was donated to the Salvation Army.
Last stop was Notch Hill, where a donation of $4,000 was made to the Sorrento Food Bank.
The Holiday Train started its Saturday run in Chase, where a $5,500 donation was made to the Chase Christmas Hamper Society.
Additional information on the CPKC Holiday Train can be found online at www.cpkcr.com.