(262) 214-5124
Karen Pilarski, Now News GroupPublished 12:30 p.m. CT Dec. 12, 2017 | Updated 6:40 p.m. CT Dec. 12, 2017
Published: December 15, 2017
Karen Pilarski, Now News GroupPublished 12:30 p.m. CT Dec. 12, 2017 | Updated 6:40 p.m. CT Dec. 12, 2017
The 19th annual Canadian Pacific Holiday Train made a stop at the Harwood Ave. crossing in Wauwatosa on Sunday. Mike De Sisti
(Photo: Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Here is a Christmas recipe for you: Take two Girl Scouts. Add one colorful train. Mix with food pantry donations. And blend generously with Wauwatosa community spirit.
When local residents smelled the aroma of hot cocoa tickling their noses and the feeling of the holidays warming up their hearts, the dazzling train of lights that arrived in Wauwatosa on Dec. 3, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, few residents knew it was a recipe made possible by two local girls.
The holiday train started to stop in Wauwatosa thanks to Girl Scouts Madison Sveum and Michela Miller.
The two sixth graders saw the holiday train (which is now in its 19th year) elsewhere and wondered why it couldn't stop here. The girls spoke with Tosa Cares, the fire and police departments and local business groups. Everyone came together to write letters to CP about stopping in Wauwatosa.
Linda Ertel, Tosa Cares coordinator, said the two worked on the project and now the train has been stopping in Wauwatosa for three years, and when it does, donations to help poor families are collected.
At last count, Ertel said the amount of food collected was at 8,400 pounds. A total of $2,000 in financial donations was also raised. The goal is 8,500 pounds of food, which was collected last year.
Sveum and Miller, now freshmen in high school, have organized food donation competitions for local schools. Roosevelt Elementary School won the award for donating the most items for the Holiday Train. The school donated 1,218 items of food.
Tosa Cares volunteers start sorting food donated from the holiday train. (Photo: Submitted)
Tosa Cares, Inc. is a food pantry organized and operating in Wauwatosa by a group of volunteers from the community. Their mission is to work to serve our community by providing food and assistance to families in need.
Ertel, who has been a part of the organization for 10 years, loves how the community gets involved to help the less fortunate.
Ertel explained while hunger may not seem like an issue in Wauwatosa, the awareness of hunger is starting to grow. Of the calls and emails she received recently asking for help, one was due to a health issue. The family didn't have enough money for food. Another family was working, but struggling to put food on the table.
"You hear stories in every neighborhood. When there are job or health situations arise, it puts families in crisis," she said.
RELATED: Canadian Pacific Holiday Train visits Wauwatosa
Photos: Holiday Train makes a stop in Wauwatosa
The 19th annual Canadian Pacific Holiday Train made a stop at the Harwood Ave. crossing in Wauwatosa on Sunday. It was one of 13 scheduled stops at cities across the state. Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The 19th annual Canadian Pacific Holiday Train made a stop at the Harwood Ave. crossing in Wauwatosa on Sunday. It was one of 13 scheduled stops at cities across the state. Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Ertel considers the holiday train a spirit of goodness for the community.
"The train is beautiful with the lights, music, and Santa," she said.
Bu the community spirit does not stop there.
Jim and Janelle Larson own the local Units Moving and Portable Storage. They donated a big steel storage container to house all the food our community donates. The Larson family had a goal of 15,000 pounds of food. The storage unit was dropped at local eatery Leff’s Lucky Town to make the donation process as simple as possible.
The holiday train started to stop in Wauwatosa thanks to Girl Scouts Madison Sveum and Michela Miller. The two sixth graders saw the holiday train and wondering why it couldn't stop here. Now freshmen in high school, they are continuing to support the community. (Photo: Submitted)
Jim Larson said they help with other reputable charities for portable storage needs. This is the first year they have collaborated with Tosa Cares. They have helped out with Tosa's Night Out and local sports programs.
Larson has lived in Wauwatosa most of his life and loves the sense of camaraderie. He especially is in awe of the support people give during the holidays.
"The train is great to look at, but it is wonderful to make some else's Christmas a bit better," Larson said.
Ertil explained how Irie Zulu restaurant in Wauwatosa provided a Thanksgiving meal to families. Librarians come and read books to children and nurses from the health department come in to assist families. The food pantry also helps with providing employment, nutrition, and voting information and food demonstrations. The pantry serves about 100 to 170 families for each food distribution.
Ertel added after the holidays, she hopes no one forgets the spirit of goodness and sharing. For more information on Tosa Cares visit http://tosacares.org/.
Brian Besler, Lauren Bessler and Janelle Larson put donations in the storage unit. Jim and Janelle Larson own the local UNITS Moving and Portable Storage. They donated a big steel storage container to house all the food our community donates. (Photo: Submitted)
Call
Our local owners and managers are ready to assist you in what you’ll soon be calling your easiest move yet. Get started today by filling out our online quote form.