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SALT LAKE CITY — Three years ago Rob Corcoran took a ride on the North Pole Express with his two sons, then 2 and 4 years old. Now, he wants kids who are less fortunate to have a chance to take that same ride.
“It was a magical night,” Corcoran said.
This week, Christmas came early for the students at Washington Elementary in Salt Lake City. Some of the children who attend the school live at The Road Home, the local homeless shelter.
Nearly 400 students — grades one through six — boarded the train through the Heber Valley on the historic Heber Valley Railroad, bound for the North Pole. They were treated to cookies, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa Claus himself. Plus, each student received a Christmas gift at the end of the trip.
Corcoran organized the event, which was made possible by donations from his company, Influence Real Estate, and several other corporate and community sponsors.
“There are so many companies that are willing to help, big and small,” he said.
Over 70 volunteers helped out, among them Corcoran’s two sons.
“I wanted to teach them what it’s like to give back,” he said.
Corcoran says he hopes to help out more schools in the years to come.
Check out the video above to view the journey to the North Pole.
“This is the beginning of something very, very large,” he said.
To see the whole story, watch the video.
