CALGARY, Jan. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - Remarkable
generosity, big crowds and tremendous community spirit were
hallmarks of the 2014 Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train program,
which saw over C$1.1 million raised
and 300,000 lbs of food donated to North American food banks and
food shelves.
"The crowds in 2014 were simply amazing - a true reflection of
all the hard work put in by community volunteers," said
E. Hunter Harrison, CP CEO. "CP is
proud to support local food banks across Canada and the U.S. and looks forward to the
2015 edition of the Holiday Train."
Since its start in 1999, the CP Holiday Train has helped to
raise more than C$10.6 million and
3.6 million pounds of food for local food banks and food
shelves.
This year, the CP Holiday Train program provided a platform for
dialogue around access to healthy, nutritious food. Food
organizations from east to west shared their stories of
volunteerism and donations of fresh, locally-farmed foods getting
to the most vulnerable people in our communities. Patrons attending
Holiday Train events were asked to bring healthy food options while
food shelves were asked to commit 10 percent or more of CP's
monetary donation to healthy food initiatives or purchases.
Crowds at Holiday Train events were entertained by a number of
musicians, including the pop-rock band Odds, Roxanne Potvin, Tracey
Brown, and Jim Cuddy (of Blue
Rodeo fame) on the Canadian tour and, in the U.S., country star
Kira Isabella along with a cappella
sensations Home Free.
To continue to support the Holiday Train and receive updates for
next year's program, visit us on Facebook, Twitter,
and Instagram @CPHolidaytrain #CPHolidayTrain. For
additional information, photos, a route map, and downloadable
pictures of the two trains, visit: www.cpr.ca/holiday-train.
About the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
CP's annual Holiday Train program is a rolling fundraising event
that travels across Canada and
the United States raising money,
food, and awareness for food banks and hunger issues, hosting free
holiday concerts along the way. Since 1999 the program has raised
over C$10.6 million and 3.6 million
pounds of food. Each Holiday Train is about 1,000 feet in length
with 14 rail cars decorated with hundreds of thousands of
technology-leading LED lights and a modified boxcar that has been
turned into a traveling stage for performers.
About CP
Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) is a transcontinental railway in
Canada and the United States with direct links to eight
major ports, including Vancouver
and Montreal, providing North
American customers a competitive rail service with access to key
markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its
customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services,
logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see
the rail advantages of Canadian Pacific.
SOURCE Canadian Pacific