Toys traded for train tickets
Fewer people have signed up for a Christmas hamper program this year compared with last year
A West Coast Express Santa Train passenger traded a toy for a return ticket at the Port Haney station recently.
Photograph by: Sylver McLaren , TIMES
West Coast Express' Santa Train rolled out of the Port Haney, Maple Meadows, and Pitt Meadows stations Saturday and Sunday morning full of folks who traded toys for tickets to ride.
During the past two weekends, 742 toys and $261.70 were collected for the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society on the Santa Train.
Tanya McEwan and her kids Chase and Mackenzie, Bill Sawchuk, Sydney Hammer, Savannah Wise, Katie Pesut, and Devin Powley volunteered their time collecting the toys and cash.
"The closer you get to Christmas, the more generous people are," said Lorraine Bates, co-chair of the hamper society.
"Fewer people have registered for the hamper this year and to me that is success. That makes me feel good."
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