I would like to take a moment to thank the residents of the Village of Montgomery and our neighboring towns who came out during a rainstorm in large numbers to donate toys to United States Marines Toys for Tots Train this past Sunday, December 10.

It’s just so much fun to watch the faces of the little children when they meet Santa and his Elf. This train arrival celebrated our 11th anniversary that the Toys for Tots Train has been coming into our fine village. The cars that are attached to the engine are all privately owned and priceless; their owners allow us to use them for this great cause. Some of them have been featured in many old movies.

This year again, the Village of Montgomery came in number one in our friendly competition receiving 200 more toys donated than our closest competitor. Remember, this is a friendly competition, but we still like to win. Thank you to all the residents who assisted in this event at the Train stop setting the stage with Santa’s chair, playing the Polar Express song as the train pulled in, organizing lines so every child could see and speak with Santa and his Elf.

Thank you to Jan Leonard, Skip Chambers, Bob and Jane Schultzel, Rob Kellerher, Bill Corrigan, DJ Eric Guarneri, Kevin Conero, George and Marie Charles of Lollies Airport Inn, Amy Frisbee and Erin Sherry, the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, JROTC, The VCHS Volunteer Club, the Village of Montgomery Police Department. The Montgomery Fire Department, as well as the Coldenham Fire Department who do an awesome job displaying the United States flag over the railroad tracks. I thank the members of the United States Marines, for they are the main reason this all happens.

I especially want to thank my wife Sue, who has played Santa’s Elf every year for the past 11 years throughout Orange County. She is very involved with the Toys for Tots Association and starts planning for next year‘s event in February. This is a GREAT little village. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!