Friday, August 5th, the fourth annual Teddy Bear’s Train Ride will roll out of the Rusk Depot, loaded with cute children bringing their teddy bears with them to ride the Official Railroad of Texas.
Trains depart at 11am, 2:30pm and 4:30pm. All children ages 12 and under who bring their teddy bear with them to ride, will get to ride for free. To obtain the free ticket, each child must show his teddy bear at the ticket window.
The Teddy Bear-themed train will feature cute little teddy bear snacks and juice boxes, plus activities on the grounds before the train departs. There will be a concession on the train as well.
For the fourth year in a row the railroad is partnering with the Anderson County Blankets and Bears Children’s Fund. This organization collects donations of new teddy bears and baby blankets and distributes them to police officers and hospital emergency room workers, who in turn give them to any traumatized children they encounter. These children generally have been involved in accidents, domestic disputes, house fires and other traumatic incidents.
Those who give the bears to the children say sometimes it is the only comforting thing they have to hold onto at that moment, and that this program really does make a difference when they are in the midst of the worst experience of their young lives.
Parents who donate to the program say they love it because it is an opportunity to teach altruism to young children… and they love the idea of kids helping kids.
Ridership on the Teddy Bear’s Train Ride and donations to the program have grown by more than 47% over three years.
For more information, go to www.TexasStateRR.com or follow the Texas State Railroad on Facebook. Tickets can be booked online or by calling 903-683-3098.
