25 November 2011

2011 CP Holiday Train Launches Canadian Food Bank Blitz

Calgary Alberta - Canadian Pacific's cross-country and cross-border food bank drive launches its 13th year of raising money, food, and awareness this weekend.
 
The CP Holiday Train, North America's longest-running rolling fundraiser, has become an annual holiday tradition for many food banks. Two freight trains, both decked out in thousands of feet of festive lighting, roll into communities on both sides of the border with entertainers performing from a boxcar that has been converted into a mobile stage.
 
The Canadian Holiday Train kicks off its unique journey across six provinces on Sunday, 27 Nov 2011 with its first stop in Beaconsfield, Quebec, and then wrapping up its powerful three-week journey in Port Moody B.C. on 17 Dec 2011.
 
The U.S. Holiday Train has also begun its trek through large and small communities in eight U.S. states in the Northeast and Midwest.
 
Since 1999, the CP Holiday Train has entertained thousands while raising about $5.6 million and collecting over 2.5 million pounds of food for local food bank programs. For many food banks along the way, this is their major fundraiser for the next 12 months. In all, the two specially-decorated trains will visit about 150 communities with everything collected at each stop staying in that community for local distribution.
 
On the Canadian Holiday Train, crowds will experience Canadian music legend Valdy. Joining Valdy on stage will be young Ottawa rockers, Brothers Dube' and Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer Tracey Brown. Bringing holiday cheer and the important message of supporting food shelves in the United States will be veteran Milwaukee folk-rocker Willy Porter, along with Nashville country-music recording artist Sydney Grigg.
 
The 2011 CP Holiday Train schedule, musician bios, and other information is on www.cpr.ca. As well, both Holiday Trains can be followed on Facebook and on Twitter (@CPHolidaytrain).