Kansas City Southern Holiday Express returns after 2 year break

JOPLIN METRO AREA — The Kansas City Southern Holiday Express returns to the region! After a two-year hiatus due to health concerns the train formerly known as the “Santa Express” will make a stop in Pittsburg, Kan.

  • WHAT: KCS Holiday Express
  • WHERE: Pittsburg, Kan., Elm & Monroe
  • WHEN: Dec. 10, 4:00 p.m.
  • WHO: Santa and all his Reindeer!
  • HOW MUCH: FREE
  • WHY: Raise money for the Salvation Army in each area.
  • WHAT AGAIN?: Visitors can board the train, meet Santa and his Elves and tour the inside of three cars of the festive six-car train.

After leaving Pittsburg the train travels north and will be stationed at home in Kansas City for viewing at the KC Union Station which is a destination for many to visit at Christmas.

During the visit to Pittsburg visitors can board the train, meet Santa and his Elves and tour the inside of three cars of the festive, six-car holiday train with intricate displays inside and out. The train will visit children and families in 20 communities across 8 states!

The Salvation Army in each town will benefit. Over 21 years, the charitable component of the KCS Holiday Express project has raised well over $2.6 million. Anyone interested in making a tax-deductible contribution to the 2022 KCS Holiday Express fundraising effort may donate here.

KCS Employees donate generously to kick off the campaign.

HISTORY OF THE HOLIDAY EXPRESS

The KCS Holiday Express was built on the tradition of the Santa Train, which ran on a segment of the network bought by KCS in 1997. In 2000, a group of warm-hearted employees noticed that the Santa Train was the only Christmas some kids had, and that some kids did not have essential items like coats, hats and gloves, so they committed to elevating the project. In 2001, volunteers transformed a retired freight train to the KCS Holiday Express experience that thousands of people enjoyed for more than 20 years!

Stay with Joplin News First as we continue to cover Christmas events for you and your family to enjoy! Scroll below and sign up for our JLNews email list so you don’t miss an article.

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Classic car owners are helping a Joplin nonprofit

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Classic car owners are giving back to a Joplin nonprofit.

Saturday morning a group of car enthusiasts held the “2021 toy drive and car show” in the Junkerville parking lot in Webb City.

The group registered more than 90 vehicles at the show and donated new unwrapped toys.

Once the show was over the convoy drove the toys to the Salvation Army in Joplin.

“Just wanted to get all the car club around town. All the cars here and show them off raise toys for the kids who don’t get a Christmas. Without all these guys out here most of these kids wouldn’t have a Christmas,” said Kyle Lawson, Organizer.

Lawson plans on holding another car show in the summer.

Area charities providing resources for the homeless in extreme temperatures

JOPLIN, Mo. — With temperatures dropping into the teens overnight — organizations are making sure the homeless are safe.

The coronavirus pandemic is not stopping nonprofits and ministries from lending a helping hand. Soul’s Harbor, Salvation Army, and Watered Garden’s Ministries are each offering different kinds of help.

Daniel Gurley, Souls Harbor, said, “You want to get as many people off the streets as possible. I know we all make bad choices sometimes, but you shouldn’t have to die for it.”

Souls Harbor is offering overflow sleeping areas to the homeless once it drops below 32 degrees at 817 Main Starting at 7 p.m. They say its important to get the homeless population off the streets — because some will resort to dangerous ways to stay warm.

“Some of the folks out there think if you drink alcohol you’ll stay warmer. The problem with that it gets dangerous because that actually lowers your body temperature.”

The Salvation Army in Joplin is offering a warming center during business hours inside their main building at 320 Main Street.

Lieutenant Marty Norris, Salvation Army, said, “There’s a lot of people that are homeless and stuck out in the cold and this gives them a chance to get out of the bitter cold and warm up for a little bit.”

Meanwhile Watered Garden’s Ministries keeps their warming center open 24/7. They say its important to stay open around the clock to get the homeless out of the cold.

James Whitford, Watered Gardens Ministries, said, “People struggling with mental health or addiction issues may not even be dressed properly to make sure their extremities are staying at the temperature that they should be. We want to make sure to preserve life. Every single life has value.”

All three shelters are enforcing coronavirus precautions including social distancing and offering hand sanitizer and masks. They all say the most important thing is to keep everyone safe.