CALGARY, Oct. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canadian Pacific
(CP) Holiday Train is back for its 18th year in an
effort to raise money, food and awareness for local food banks and
food shelves. Since its launch in 1999, the program has raised more
than C$12 million and 3.9 million
pounds of food for communities along CP's routes in Canada and the northern U.S.
As in years past, two trains will operate coast-to-coast under
the Holiday Train banner, with approximately 150 shows held in
November and December. The train that operates primarily through
the U.S. will launch in the Montreal area on Nov.
25, while the all-Canada
train's first shows will come a day later, also in Montreal. The U.S. train will complete its
final shows in Saskatchewan on
Dec. 15, and the final show of the
tour will take place Dec. 17 at
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
"For nearly 20 years, CP has watched communities turn out to
enjoy a wonderful event while taking a stand against hunger," said
E. Hunter Harrison, CP's Chief
Executive Officer. "We are proud of the role the Holiday Train
plays, but more importantly, we're proud of the people and families
that come out year after year to help their neighbours. They're the
reason we keep bringing the train back."
Every pound of food and dollar raised at each stop stays with
the local food bank to help feed those in need in that
community.
The Holiday Train is proudly sporting an all-Canadian musical
line up with multiple Canadian Country Music Award and Juno Award
winners. The Canadian train will feature musical guests
Dallas Smith and Odds. On board the
U.S. train, Kelly Prescott will
partner with Doc Walker between
Montreal and Windsor, Ont., with Colin James covering the Midwest and Great
Plains shows. Jonathan Roy will also
perform at all Quebec
locations.
First-time stops this year include New
Albin, Iowa; New Hope,
Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, and Callaway, Minnesota.; Olds, Alberta; and Canoe, B.C. A full schedule
of Holiday Train stops is available at
www.cpr.ca/holiday-train.
Again this year, the Holiday Train program is encouraging people
attending events to bring heart healthy donations. Heart health
education and awareness is a tenet of CP's community investment
program, CP Has Heart, which focuses on improving the heart health
of men, women and children in communities across North America.
"We are very excited about this year's CP Holiday Train and are
encouraging all event attendees to bring healthy, nutritious food
items to the shows," said Pam
Jolliffe, Interim Executive Director, Food Banks Canada.
"For the last two decades, CP has played an integral role in
raising essential food for the holidays and in raising awareness of
hunger-related issues."
Each year, fans of the Holiday Train follow its journey over
social media, posting spectacular images of the trains in various
cities and landscapes. Those who capture the spirit of the train,
holiday entertainment and the spirit of giving are encouraged to
enter the "Capture the Spirit" photo contest for the chance to win
an exclusive ride on next year's train. This year, those that enter
the contest will help track the train in a customized
#CPHolidayTrain map. Further details about the contest will be
available closer to the start of the program on the Holiday Train
Facebook page.
To help make this year the best yet for local food banks, the
Holiday Train asks fans new and old to follow the train on social
media, invite their friends and family and spread the message about
the importance of heart-healthy donations by using
#HealthyDonations.
Facebook /HolidayTrain
Twitter @CPHolidayTrain
Instagram @CPHolidayTrain
Use #CPHolidayTrain and #HealthyDonations
For additional information, photos, a route map, and
downloadable pictures of the two trains, visit
http://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 more than
$12 million and 3.9 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 Canadian Pacific
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 CP.
SOURCE Canadian Pacific