The Callicoon Depot was bustling on Sunday afternoon as a crowd gathered for the Toys for Tots arrival of the New York, Susquehanna, and Western Railway Operation Toy Train.

 The train’s route started in Binghamton and ended in Shohola, PA, with stops throughout the Delaware River Valley, including Callicoon where residents, well-wishers, and train enthusiasts lined the tracks, eager to catch a glimpse of the train, take photos and videos of the locomotive, and contribute to a worthy cause.

The Callicoon stop demonstrated an outpouring of community generosity. Families clustered around the depot, holding toys and gleefully chattering as the whistle of the train signaled its approach. The arrival was greeted by Santa Claus himself, who disembarked from one of the passenger railcars to greet the children and pose for photos while his onboard elves handed out candy canes.

As a supplement to the event, the Depot was filled with gently used and antique toys for children to take home, a silent art auction, and a hot cocoa station that not even Santa could turn down. Volunteers from various local organizations were on hand to assist with the collection, creating a lively, celebratory atmosphere that embodied the spirit of giving. Local officials were also present, thanking the volunteers and the community for their support of the program. 

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and the Marine Corps League Gung-Ho Detachment #909 will redistribute the toys to underprivileged children in Broome and Sullivan counties in New York and Susquehanna and Pike counties in Pennsylvania, ensuring that children facing economic hardship in the region have a joyful holiday season.

Operation Toy Train is an annual benefit that takes place throughout the United States during the holiday season. To learn more, visit www.operationtoytrain.org.