- Tonight on WPBS Weekly Inside The Stories.

Making sure every child has a gift.

This holiday, we visit the local Toys for Tots chapter to see how volunteers are helping spread the spirit of giving.

And every Christmas at Tommy's diner, volunteers and businesses in Kingston come together to prepare over 1000 meals for those in need.

Also come aboard the Adirondack Railroads Polar Express.

It might just become your family's Christmas tradition.

Your stories, your region, coming up right now on WPBS Weekly, Inside The Stories.

- WPBS Weekly Inside The Stories is brought to you by - When you're unable to see your primary care provider.

The Carthage Walk-in Clinic is here for you, located off Route 26 across from Carthage Middle School.

Comfort and Healing close to home when you need it most - North Country Orthopedic Group is there for your urgent ortho or sports related injuries.

With our onsite surgical center and same or next day appointments, we're ready to provide care for patients of all ages.

Your health matters to us North Country Orthopedic Group, keeping healthcare local.

- We are the north country.

We're protecting one another like family is who we are and where our tomorrow will always be worth defending.

Find out how we keep the North country Strong, at claxtonhepburn.org.

today.

- Select musical performances are made possible with funds from the statewide Community Regrant program, a REGRANT program of the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State legislator administered by the St.

Lawrence County Arts Council.

- Good Tuesday evening everyone, and happy holidays.

Welcome to this edition of WPBS Weekly Inside the Stories, I'm Michael Riecke.

In the spirit of Giving, we begin tonight on State Street where Toys for Tots is working to make sure children in need aren't without a gift.

This holiday season through donation boxes, open shopping events, and community run toy drives.

The Jefferson County chapter says, keeping the Toys for Tots tradition alive takes a village.

Producer, Luke Smith, has more.

- Have a nice Christmas.

Thank you.

You're set.

You're very welcome.

- While retailers across the country grow busy with holiday shoppers, organizations like Toys for Tots, are getting gifts to children in a way they've done for over 75 years.

- We work with food pantries, a couple of schools we work with, churches, neighbors of Watertown, Domestic Violence Center.

Anybody that reaches out to us that has a need and maybe they have a group of people that they reach or we work with, we receive toys that are brand new on the market, the the latest fad all the way to, you know, Play-Doh and Mr.

Potato head the things that I might remember and everything in between.

- Michelle has been the local Toys for Tots coordinator for the past seven years, operating on State Street and encouraging the community to come together and give.

- I got involved with Toys for Tots because my friend Michelle had started taking over the coordinator position and my daughter had recently passed prior to that, and I, my daughter had asked us to not spend money on her, but to buy for children in need.

Her last Christmas at 23 years old.

- My wife Jean and I have been friends with Michelle and we somehow got the word that they needed volunteers for toys are tot so we signed up.

It's important to give to the holidays because there are so many folks in need and although I've never been in that position myself, I can imagine what it'd be like to wake up Christmas morning without toys.

- I get phone calls, multiple phone calls daily with people offering to be volunteers, offering to become a drop site, asking if they can do a toy drive at their place of business.

And some of them are asking if they can pick up for a friend or relative.

We do try to curb that, it needs to be the parent or guardian, but there's, yeah, there's lots of ways you can become involved.

- And for some getting involved goes beyond ensuring children aren't without a gift this season.

- We've always been lucky to have all that we need in my family, and both growing up and after my marriage, there's many families that don't have that.

And to be able to help them out is truly comes from the heart because, mostly because my husband's family, my husband's family was that way when he was growing up.

He had said that they wouldn't have received even one toy if it hadn't been for a group like Toys for Tots when he was a child.

- It takes the burden off from families that maybe have got their budgets spread too thin, and they're looking at paying rent and it's Christmas time and something else came up and now they have a real dilemma.

We try to take that burden off their shoulders.

- Watertown's Toys for Tots has gifted over 9,000 gifts to 3000 children in the community.

A number that wouldn't be possible without volunteers giving to those in need each year.

- People are welcome to donate year round and we'll be having more and more events to boost our account.

If we can do like a Christmas in July or someone has maybe a golf tournament or something like that, we can do that in the summer just to keep it, keep our name out there and, anybody's welcome to donate anytime.

- Please think about how you can give to your community, whether it's through a food bank, an angel tree, Toys for Tots, a neighbor that's elderly, someone who's shut in for whatever reason, and put that on your list instead of all the expensive gifts that you might buy for someone.

This is an opportunity to give to people you don't know.

And it's just one extra thing, that I hope we can all come back to as far as putting the true meaning back in Christmas and not the materialism and the stores and the malls and the publicity.

You know, it's a way to get back to what, Christmas is meant to be and that's helping other people - In Watertown, for WPBS Weekly, I'm Luke Smith.

- Every Christmas, a quiet transformation happens in Kingston, Ontario and warehouses, store aisles and borrowed kitchens.

Volunteers come together to prepare hundreds of meals for those in need.

It all started in 2012 when Tommy Hunter, owner of Tommy's Diner and the Smoke Barrel decided he could do more.

This is a story of compassion, teamwork, and heart, because for everyone involved, this isn't just about food, it's about what community truly means.

- Since 2012, Tommy Hunter, the owner of Tommy's Diner in Kingston, has been serving up more than great meals.

He's been serving hope.

Each December, he and an army of volunteers ensures hundreds of families can share in the warmth of the season.

- It was Christmas Eve and I was walking to work and there used to, there's an old church there that at the time was a, was a shelter.

And so I walked by it every day to work and it just occurred to me that I could be doing more.

I wasn't, I wasn't doing much at Christmas Eve, you know, I it like the restaurant wasn't busy.

Students are gone and I really just wasn't doing much and it just occurred to me that I could be doing a lot more.

That was in 2012.

So then the next year I went with the idea and decided to host Tommy's community Christmas.

And it wasn't what it is now.

It was come on into Tommy's from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM for a free hot Christmas dinner.

That's how it started.

I had never even made a Turkey before.

We fed 85 people and that kicked it off.

- Tommy still remembers that first Christmas dinner.

Just a few volunteers, a few turkeys, and a big dream.

Over the years he's watched the need grow and so did the event.

What started inside his diner has now become a citywide tradition.

- By year four, we decided we're gonna start a hamper drive as well.

The family hamper.

You get everything you need to make your your family a home, A Christmas dinner two days in advance.

Previous to COVID, we were doing, I think at most 200 hampers and maybe a hundred and, you know, 150 to 200 meals.

And since COVID, we've committed to doing 500 hampers and 1000 meals every year.

- It's a massive undertaking and Tommy doesn't do it alone.

Standing beside him since the very beginning is someone who knows him well, his lead kitchen hand, the two grew up together and from that very first dinner, he's been there every Christmas to help make it happen.

- We grew up together in same hi, same public school stuff out joyful down the road from each other.

You know, Tommy had the idea that he wanted to help out less fortunate and stuff on Christmas Eve.

And then I saw, you know, how big of a difference we were making and the people we were helping.

And after every year it just kept growing and growing and growing and it went from a one day event when we were carving a Turkey to now, we prepped for two, three days before.

I'm basically his kitchen lead.

Me and Tommy get together and we organize what we're gonna need for supplies and how we're gonna do it, and we kinda got it down to a science so that everything runs very smoothly - Over the years, it's become more than just helping out a friend, it's become a tradition of its own.

This is what Christmas means now.

Giving back and knowing the meals they prepare will brighten someone else's day - For me now, this is my Christmas, right?

This is, this is my tradition.

It's like I book time off for my real job to come do this and something I look forward to every year, and it's a way to, you know, cleanse my soul at the end of the year, make up for all my, you know, my sins throughout the year.

And it's just, you see the difference you're making and like the obviously the need Kingston has and to, you know, be a part of that to help is something I love.

- That spirit runs through everyone involved in this massive effort, but with that generosity comes a growing challenge.

The need in the community has never been greater and so has the cost of meeting it.

- You know, it, it's a nice thing to do at Christmas time.

And you know, our biggest challenge now because we're committed to helping as many people as we can is the fundraising aspect.

Times are tough for a lot of people, so we're getting a lot more requests for our services as well, but with more requests, we're getting less donations as well.

You know, typically our 500 hampers sell it within two weeks and our thousand meals sell out within a month.

We launched our event on a Sunday night at 10:00 PM by Monday at 8:00 PM, 22 hours later, all 500 hampers were sold out.

And by Thursday, so four days later, all thousand of our meals were gone as well.

- As the demand grows each year, so does the effort it takes to keep up behind every hamper packed and every meal delivered, are people working quietly, calling, organizing and finding the funds to make it all happen.

- It's really hard asking for money and, you know, everything's gone up.

Everything's expensive and the need is so much greater now than it ever has been.

It's really tough.

I mean, we had to shut down orders just over 24 hours after we opened them up.

And so it's hard when you have to say no to people when you don't have enough.

But the more money we raise, the more hampers we'll do.

We have no problem doing more.

We just need money to be able to do it.

I think it's really, really crazy and cool that so many people, even just by donating $2, $5, $60 feeds an entire family.

They feel like they've really been part of it.

My entire family donates in some way or another.

It's become a really, it's a family affair.

It's my Christmas.

It really is.

- Each December one of the busiest places in the city isn't a shopping mall, it's the Loblaw store.

The heart of the hamper drive more than just a fundraiser.

It's the central hub where everything comes together from 500 turkeys and boxes of stuffing to 510 pound bags of potatoes all stored and ready to be packed with care.

- This is a very busy time of year, but we have to remember Kingston is home for me, right?

This is our community and whatever I can do to give back, to help out the families need in our kings community is very important to me, right?

We have fun time here trying to raise money for, for this great event that we're having today to donate to 500 plus families.

It's, it's very important for us.

We're helping people in Kingston and that's what makes it easy for us to ask customers if like donate $2, $5 or if they want to purchase a meal, $60.

It, it makes it easy for the cashiers to ask those questions.

And when the customers hear that's saying here in Kingston, again, it makes them want to donate as well.

- When people ask why, this is like, why I felt a need to start this and why I carry on with doing this.

'cause it is, you know, especially in the early years, it was a ton of work, but it's just you don't what, that's just how I was raised, you know, to be incredibly grateful for what I have and to try and help others out.

- This is my Christmas, you know, of course I see friends and family, but this is what truly makes, gives me all the feels, fills my bucket.

- For WPBS Weekly, I'm Gail Paquette.

- Up next, a very special train ride to the North Pole to see Santa.

The Adirondack Railroads Polar Express Adventure is a magical journey that creates cherished memories and keeps families returning year after year.

Take a look - All aboard for the Polar Express!

The airs crisp, the excitement, electric.

and the pajamas abundant.

The holiday season brings a special voice from the Adirondack Railroad, a train journey to the North Pole to meet Santa.

It's a ride inspired by the 1985 story and the 2004 movie, the Polar Express.

The adventure starts at Union Station in Utica, New York and travels northbound to meet Santa.

Families dress in matching pajamas.

A fun tradition on the Polar press for many years.

It's a heartwarming experience that conductors like Bill Moll love to deliver each year.

- I think we've been doing it for over 20 years and I've been here through all those years, so I've seen thousands of excited kids and generations of families experiences polar express.

It's quite a magical aura to see all the excitement.

- This trip is a unique experience for the passengers.

No two trips are the same and for the crew as well.

And everybody enjoys the trip that they go on.

- The journey is a storybook come to life, creating memories for children and parents that they will cherish forever.

- This was the very first time that we got to experience this and these are my granddaughters, so it was really nice to be able to do this.

I didn't get to do this with my kids, so it was really nice to be able to do it with my grandkids.

- We do have the hot chocolate and the cookies on the train.

Some people bring other refreshments.

The pajamas are a huge thing.

I love seeing, as I say, matching jammies the entire families - As the train start its journey out of the station.

Children read the polar express and sing Christmas carols, although while anticipating the magical moment when they finally get to the North Pole and meet Santa.

All are awestruck as Santa boards the train and travels back to the station with the passengers.

- It's unbelievable that the expressions that the kids, the way they react to the site of Santa Claus, coming through the train and talking to each individual kid and telling Santa Claus what they're looking for for Christmas.

- My favorite part of me and the children, I would say I feel like a kid myself and if the kid comes out on me, so I feel like a kid, I give the special kids to the kids.

- Each child on board receives a special gift to kid, s silver Bell.

When rung, it chimes with a clear, pure tone that reminds them of this magical adventure.

- When I go down the aisle and the kids are coming to me and says, "I love you Santa."

That makes me special.

That makes it special.

I love you Santa - My favorite parts is just meeting the passengers.

Many times when we're checking how Santa is coming along, I'll stop and talk with the passengers, find out where they're from.

I had Long Island today.

I had yesterday Binghamton and Elmira yesterday.

We've had people from all over the country that they come and ride the Polar Express and it is fun talking to them and, and getting their reaction to the trip.

- I enjoy participating in the operation of the train.

It's amazing to see the reactions of everybody and the joy that the whole polar express experience brings to the public as they board the trains and while they're riding the train.

It's fun to work with all the other railroad employees on board trained to, to transform this experience into real life.

- An enjoyable trip to see everybody having a good time wishing everyone well as they get off the train and everybody thanking us for, for doing the trip in the first place.

I we get that on the train as we walk through as well.

- Adirondack Railroads Polar Express is a gift that creates lasting memories for every child, but the real treasure for parents is watching pure wonder light up the faces they love.

It's an unforgettable experience that families will remember for life.

- Who was the favorite part?

Girls.

Was it Santa?

Yeah!

Yeah!

- When I go out into the streets and I go out places, I meet other kids and I want them to be joyful and be happy and be good and that's what it all is about.

- In Utica for WPBS Weekly, I'm Gahyun Ku - Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!

The Adirondack Railroad Polar Express runs every year from mid-November to just before Christmas.

More information, you'll find it at adirondack rr.com/utica/polar-express.

Well tis the season for holiday music.

Up next to local high school choirs.

Stop by our studio to perform both new and traditional carols.

Sure to inspire your Christmas spirit.

Enjoy.-- That does it for this Tuesday night.

Join us next time as we share our favorite stories of 2025.

A pet cancer diagnosis is more likely than you might think.

Discover how Pause4Potter is bringing awareness to cancer detection in your furry friends.

Then we head to Garnsey's Feral acres in Chaumont, a sanctuary where farm animals are cared for and the community is learning to do the same.

Also, Kingston's Town Crier brings history to life with every call delivering important announcements and proclamations to the community.

Meantime, if you have a story idea you'd like us to explore in 2026, we'd love to learn more.

Drop us an email at wpbsweekly@wpbstv.org and let's share it with the region.

That's it for tonight everyone.

Have a safe and happy holiday.

We'll see you next episode.

Take care.

- WPBS Weekly.

Inside the stories is brought to you by - When you're unable to see your primary care provider.

A Carthage Walk-in clinic is here for you, located off Route 26 across from Carthage Middle School.

Comfort and Healing Close to home when you need it most.

- North Country Orthopedic Group is there for your urgent ortho or sports related injuries.

With our onsite surgical center and same or next day appointments, we're ready to provide care for patients of all ages.

Your health matters to us.

North Country Orthopedic Group, keeping healthcare local.

- We are the north country.

We're protecting one another like family is who we are and where our tomorrow will always be worth defending.

Find out how we keep the north country strong, at claxtonhepburn.org today.

- Select musical performances are made possible with funds from the statewide community Regrant program, a REGRANT program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State legislator administered by the St.

Lawrence County Arts Council.

- Who was the favorite part?

Girls.

Was it Santa?

Yeah!

Yeah!

- When I go out into the streets and I go out places, I meet other kids and I want them to be joyful and be happy and be good and that's what it all is about.