Each year, employees donate time and money to ensure a happy holiday season for all
For more than 25 years, CTA employees have incorporated their spirit of dedication and service to the Chicago community towards raising funds to purchase holiday food baskets for those in need. This Sunday, December 16, CTA’s Holiday Train will deliver 500 holiday food baskets to help “make the season bright” for those less fortunate.
“These donations embody the generosity and giving spirit of our employees,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “We are proud to be able to serve the transportation needs of Chicagoans each day and grateful that we can share our bounty with those in need during the holiday season.”
CTA’s beloved Holiday Train began as a way to distribute holiday baskets throughout the city. Each year, CTA employees generously donate their time and resources to assemble hundreds of food baskets, which contain all the trimmings for a complete holiday meal: a canned ham, potatoes, mixed vegetables, muffin mix, macaroni and cheese, fruit cocktail, green beans, corn and dessert.
Since 1992, Santa and his elves have delivered more than 7,500 food baskets to a number of community organizations that help the needy. This year, CTA employees will deliver 500 food baskets on the Red Line (at Howard and 95th Stations), Green Line (at Conservatory-Central Park Drive Station), Pink Line (at the Western Station) and on the Blue Line (at Logan Square).
Organizations receiving the holiday gift baskets include: Good Shepherd - Madonna House, Holy Spirit, Destiny and Purpose Global Outreach Ministries, Metropolitan Tenants Organization, New Hope, St. Leo Residence for Veterans, St. Sabina, Revitas Education Partners, Ebenezer Community Outreach, Mt. Sinai M.B. Church, New Moms, New Safe Heaven Foundation, UCAN, Sarah’s Inn, Zoe Life Ministries, Gads Hill Center, Maria Kaupas Center, Near West Side Community Development Corporation, Solutions For Care, CALOR, Common Pantry, Integrated PASEO, Puerto Rican Cultural Center and THRESHOLDS.
CTA’s Holiday Train began on the Blue Line in 1992 when a “Season’s Greetings from the CTA” sign was placed on the front of an out-of-service train that was used to deliver food to various charities. The train was first used for scheduled customer service in 1996. As the train grew in popularity, the schedule has been expanded to include service on all CTA rail lines throughout the holiday season.
Today, the CTA Holiday Fleet - which includes the Holiday Train, the Elves’ Workshop Train and the Holiday Bus – is one of the most beloved symbols of the season for Chicago residents.
Schedule information for the Holiday Fleet can be found at: www.transitchicago.com/holidayfleet/