CLEWISTON — The Santa Express once again delivered toys and holiday cheer to families across Glades, Highlands, Hendry, Palm Beach, and Martin counties. Santa came to town Saturday, Dec. 2, aboard the Sugar Express, powered by historic steam engine No. 148. This annual event is in partnership with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation’s toy drive.

While children got the chance to meet and talk with Santa, Marines unloaded 2,000 toys from the train. Toys for Tots groups across South Florida picked up the toys that will be distributed to parents at scheduled events in time to be wrapped and placed under the tree on Christmas morning. 

Families gathered at several stops including Belle Glade, Clewiston, Moore Haven and Lake Placid. Excited children dropped off letters to Santa, which he will take back with him to the North Pole.

“U.S. Sugar has gone all out on our behalf for the third year in a row with their Santa Express,” said Joe Hosick, MT4T Coordinator for Glades and Hendry counties. “I could not be more pleased with their generosity and the holiday excitement they have created with their beautiful train and their corporate giving program that benefits our local communities. In the 11 years I have been managing the local T4T program, U.S. Sugar and their employees have always been very supportive of our efforts. However, the last three years have been really special because of this Santa train,” added Hosick.

Smiles on the faces of young and old conveyed the joy Santa brings to folks of all ages.  Thanks to the people of U.S. Sugar and Toys for Tots this will truly be a magical season for South Florida children across the Glades farming region.

“This is our third year operating the Santa Express and we couldn’t be happier delivering these gifts to our friends and neighbors,” said Scott Ogle, operations manager for Sugar Express. "What a joy it is each year to see the smiles on the faces of so many local children and their parents.”

The Santa Express is a community project operated by U.S. Sugar and its Sugar Express tourism train, which currently operates several times per year.

For more information about future trains, please visit www.sugarexpress.com.

About U.S. Sugar
U.S. Sugar is a farming company that grows sugarcane, citrus, sweet corn, and other winter and spring vegetables in South Florida. The company was founded in 1931 by Charles Stewart Mott, a visionary leader who hailed from a long line of farmers. Since the beginning, the company’s success has been rooted in traditional farming values and respect for the land.

About the Sugar Express
The mission of the Sugar Express is to provide a safe and educational means to learn about transportation history, agriculture, local communities and the people of U.S. Sugar. It will use historic steam locomotive No. 148 to take visitors on trips through the lush croplands cultivated by the nearly 2,500 hardworking employee-owners of U.S. Sugar.