The small town of Campo sits 2,586 feet above sea level in the mountains 60 miles from downtown San Diego. Situated several miles off Interstate 8 access is by two lane narrow windy roads, ranch land, and stands of ancient oaks. The area is home to the Milquatay (Meel-ka tah-ee’) Indians, descendants of Texan homesteaders from the late 1800’s, a gambling casino, and one operating railway station and history museum.
Campo Railroad Depot
Beginning in the early 1900’s the Campo Depot serviced railway routes from San Diego eastward connecting southern California and northern Mexico to the rest of the United States. Just north of the Campo Depot is the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association with houses, maintains, and operates vintage railway equipment, including old diesel and steam locomotives.
On Friday, Dec 2nd, the San Diego Children’s Coalition joined the North Pole Christmas Train with Santa and his Elves at the Campo train depot. Every passenger on the North Pole Express was filled with children and their families having a great time.
SD Children Coalition members and guests enjoyed a 90 minute excursion with cookies, hot chocolate, Christmas stories, and a magical visit to Santa’s Workshop aboard the VIP train car formally ridden by Pres. Roosevelt!
NCFM member Jeff Perwin is Founder/President of the SDCC and I’m on the SDCC Board of Directors. Jeff and the rest of the SDCC Board of Directors were Santa’s helpers on the trip. I got lost and couldn’t find my way to the train depot (I heard that!).
The NCFM San Diego Chapter is a proud sponsor of this year’s event and is privileged to have its participation noted on various websites including the railway museums and SD Children Coalitions. NCFM is also included in numerous radio PSA’s encouraging participation in the remaining North Pole Express runs this year, though thanks to a number of factors remaining excursions have recently been sold out.
We believe participating in local affairs is an important aspect of educating the public about our mission. Promoting human rights is a participatory process. Spreading a bit of joy to families during the holidays may help others remember the importance of family and caring for others. Try it. You might like it. I know hundreds of people in San Diego did.
Holidays are difficult times for many people, as some of you well know. If you want to help make the world a better place then enjoy the thanks and warmth radiating back at you when helping someone else laugh or smile. Sometimes the smallest gifts are the greatest, especially when things seem a bit out of balance; and, I’m not talking about diamonds.
Harry Crouch
President
