What better way to celebrate the holiday excitement than living through the Polar Express experience? This year, the CASA Express occurred on the 2nd and 3rd of December. Leaving children in awe with the one-of-a-kind Christmas experience. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a non-profit organization that helps create awareness and justice for kids who are in the court system.
The event featured two trains departing from New Lenox and arriving at Tinley Park. Both trains provided the same magical Christmas experience for families. One train departed at 8:24 am and the other departed at 10:24 am. JCHS’s National Honor Society members volunteered to assist in the event reading off the short story of the Polar Express to excite kids for the unforgettable Christmas experience that awaits them! The NHS volunteers gave the children candy and punched their golden tickets to add to the kids’ excitement. After the readoff, volunteers played Christmas music on the carriages until they arrived.
Upon arrival at the Tinley Park train station, families were walked to the Harald Viking Lodge where they met with Santa Claus and his elves; kids were able to take pictures and tell Santa what they wished for Christmas this year. Families were served by New Lenox’s mobile food caterer, Smokin’ Z BBQ. For breakfast, they served, Eggs, Pork, and Potatoes. For lunch, families were given an option of their main dish of a Pulled Pork or Brisket Sandwich. With a side dish option of Macaroni and cheese or Coleslaw. For both meals, they provided Hot chocolate.
Children had an area where they could play, color, and a popcorn station for families to enjoy a snack whilst watching the movie, Elf. Parents were also allowed to partake in a Christmas raffle, $1 for 1 ticket, with a total of 12 prizes varying from a gym membership., an American Girl doll, to a brand new Playstation 5 with the new Spider-Man game.
The annual CASA Express experience left smiles on families’ faces as they exited back to their trains to return to New Lenox.