Trolley Museum Brings Holiday Magic To Inner-City School Children

From the Shore Line Trolley Museum:

EAST HAVEN, CT — The Shore Line Trolley Museum is excited to announce the return of its annual Visit with Santa event, and the museum is seeking in-kind donations, sponsorship, and volunteers to help make this year’s holiday field trips an unforgettable experience for inner-city school children.

In 2023, the event welcomed over 1,100 students, providing a magical trolley ride, an interactive visit with Santa, a gift, and holiday cheer at a nominal cost, making it accessible to families with limited means.

How You Can Help

As the museum prepares for December, local businesses, organizations, and individuals are invited to help by donating goods or sponsoring the event. They are also in need of volunteers to assist with the field trips, which provide a unique and joyful experience for students who may otherwise not have the chance to celebrate the holidays in this way.

Commitment to Community

The Shore Line Trolley Museum has a longstanding commitment to giving back to the community and creating programs that foster joy and connection. Throughout the year, the museum hosted numerous successful fundraising events for local non-profits such as Havens Harvest, Project ACEESS New Haven, the Community Dining Room of Branford, Lumibility, and the Old Stone Church, exemplifying their dedication to serving the needs of the wider community and supporting causes that uplift the entire community.

In speaking about the museum’s mission, John Proto, Executive Director, reflected on the deeper meaning of these programs: “In the same way that city trolley systems once united communities by bridging distance barriers, the Shore Line Trolley Museum is keeping that part of history alive by bringing our communities together. This tradition of connection and unity helps to benefit our society, and events like ‘Visit with Santa’ give us the opportunity to extend that spirit to the children who need it most.”

Affordable Educational Programming

In addition to this holiday program, offer affordable educational trips like Pumpkin Patch trolley rides, provided schoolchildren with a memorable seasonal experience. This past summer, Story Time Tuesday program, conducted in both English and Spanish, allowed children aged 3 to 7 to develop a love of reading and create their own personal take-home libraries. The program was designed to reach diverse audiences, reflecting the museum’s vision to make cultural and educational opportunities accessible to all.

Join Us in Spreading Holiday Cheer

"We are calling on the generosity of our community to help make this year’s “Visit with Santa” a big success," Proto said. "Whether you can volunteer your time, donate supplies, or sponsor a school’s participation, your support will directly impact children from under-resourced areas. Together, we can continue to offer these magical experiences to those who need them most.”

For more information on how to get involved, or for corporate sponsorship opportunities,
please contact John Proto at (475) 227-0001 or by email at
director@shorelinetrolley.org. Direct contributions can be made online at
shorelinetrolley.org/holiday or by mail to 17 River St, East Haven, CT 06512

About the Shore Line Trolley Museum

Founded in 1945, the Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven, CT, is the oldest
continuously operating suburban trolley museum in the United States. With a mission to
preserve the history of electric railways, the museum offers educational programs,
historical exhibits, and special events that connect visitors of all ages to our rich
transportation heritage.