In Kingsport, Tennessee, Food City officials made a significant contribution to the CSX Santa Train initiative on Wednesday, presenting a generous donation to support this longstanding tradition of spreading holiday cheer.

A $20,000 check was handed over to the Kingsport Chamber Foundation to aid the Santa Train Project, which has been a beloved custom in the region.

The donation was delivered just ahead of the project’s annual “packing party,” where volunteers gather to prepare and package gifts and food that will be distributed during the 83rd run of the Santa Train, scheduled for Saturday.

Raymond Stockyard, who chairs the Santa Train for Food City, emphasized the ongoing need for this initiative in the region.

“When you visit the towns throughout Appalachia, the need becomes very apparent,” Stockyard remarked. “There’s a tremendous amount of effort involved, from the toy packing in Jacksonville by CSX to what we do here. Our efforts are worthwhile if we can brighten even one child’s Christmas.”

Volunteer packer Michael Stidham told News Channel 11 that he attended the Santa Train as a child, and his heart warms each year when he can support the event that provided him with presents as a kid.

“Back when I was a little boy, my mom and dad took me to the Santa Train,” he said. “I just remember getting a present from Santa. This is my way of giving back.”

Miss Tennessee Mackenzie Evans said she’s happy to help give each child a Christmas experience to remember.

“The Santa Train is something that I have done for the last couple of years, both with my coach [Tiffany Porter] who has Gloves for Love, who is a huge donator for the Santa Train, but also just the importance of being able to make sure everyone has the experience of the holidays, making sure everyone has food on their plate, presents under their tree,” she said. “It’s just phenomenal. And it makes my heart full knowing that I get to be a part of this experience.”

Miss Johnson City Piper Sharp said her coach is also Tiffany Porter, who operates the community service called Gloves for Love, which is a Santa Train partner.

“So we came to help with that, and we’ve been a part of that since we were really young, and we just wanted to be able to know that we helped kids get these things that make their lives happier and funner, and just knowing that makes us so happy,” Sharp said.

The 83rd annual CSX Santa Train takes place Saturday. The train is expected to arrive in Kingsport at 2:58 p.m., where Santa will disembark from the train and take the stage in Centennial Park at “Santa’s Depot”, which will be open from 1-3 p.m. with free kids’ activity booths and more.