2020 KCS Holiday Express: Train Canceled, Fundraiser On
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Kansas City Southern (KCS) will not run its Holiday Express train this year due to the pandemic, but it plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the program with a fundraiser to benefit The Salvation Army in 20 communities along its U.S. rail network.
“While it is not safe to gather for free visits with Santa Claus and tours of the Holiday Express train this year, the need for the charitable component of this program is greater than ever,” KCS President and CEO Patrick J. Ottensmeyer said.
Over the past 19 years, the KCS Holiday Express project has raised more than $2.1 million, which has been distributed to The Salvation Army at scheduled train stops to help provide warm clothing and other necessities for children in need. This year, even without train stops, communities in Arkansas (Decatur), Illinois (East St. Louis), Kansas (Pittsburg), Louisiana (Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport and Westlake), Mississippi (Gulfport, Jackson and Vicksburg), Missouri (Kansas City, Joplin and Mexico), Oklahoma (Heavener), and Texas (Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Houston, Laredo and Port Arthur) will benefit from the fundraiser.
