"Trains for Kids Charity", is it still happening?

I wondered that too. August Levy Learning Center had one of the sets before their fire a few years ago. The firefighters did get most of the learning toys out, but I should ask whether the trains made it through.

Robert Colignio used to spear head this.  I'm not sure what happened to him as he seemed to come in burst of posts and then disappear.  The last I heard he had some health issues.  At this point I think you are better off doing something on your own.

On a humorous note, I tried turning in 3 kids and never got any trains.

Bob Coniglio is a major reason why this forum is the success it is. During the forum’s formative years, Bob would author multiple posts every day, and they were all good posts. He also started the “Trains for Kids” project.

Years ago Bob had some health issues and had to curtail his posting here. Over the years since, Bob would email me every once in a while just to say hi and give me an update on his health. He was not doing well.

I just realized that I have not received an email from him for over a year. That does not bode well. I will try to reach him.

That is a great idea. Reminds me of the US MARINES TOYS FOR TOTS. I wonder if OGR  and members would step up and continue this ? Also our sponsors could be involved along with members donating there resources. We could have Bob's name attached to this charity in his honor. Please share your ideas .

This project of Bobs was outstanding.

One Christmas he sent me a set for a child with a disability, in the Harrisburg area.

I brought it over to his house when he was in not at home, and set it up for his Mother, before Christmas.

She told me he loved the set.

Thank you Bob.

FWIW, there is an organized charity comparable to what Mr. Coniglio did here in central Oklahoma called Operation Christmas Train Set. I have passed along some extra stuff from estate buys, trains my son grew out of (read that cheap O gauge stuff he could bang the heck out of), and HO sets I've picked up at estate and garage sales and they have been thrilled with all of it. Obviously I have the benefit of being local, but if anyone has extra or unwanted cars, track, transformers, engines, or rolling stock, running or not, and you wouldn't mind paying for shipping, it would go to a great cause.

(btw, I'm just a donor and have no stake in the charity. Just trying to help a cause near to my heart)

redrockbill

@redrockbill posted:

FWIW, there is an organized charity comparable to what Mr. Coniglio did here in central Oklahoma called Operation Christmas Train Set. I have passed along some extra stuff from estate buys, trains my son grew out of (read that cheap O gauge stuff he could bang the heck out of), and HO sets I've picked up at estate and garage sales and they have been thrilled with all of it. Obviously I have the benefit of being local, but if anyone has extra or unwanted cars, track, transformers, engines, or rolling stock, running or not, and you wouldn't mind paying for shipping, it would go to a great cause.

(btw, I'm just a donor and have no stake in the charity. Just trying to help a cause near to my heart)

redrockbill

I remember folks offering stuff like that for the cause but Bob kept it to only brand new items which does make sense for a gift stand point.  I wonder if we started it back up, we could perhaps check in later to see how kids are enjoying and maybe then people could send things that are in great shape but not technically new.  A lot of cars never sell on the forum and that might be a way for some of us to make room for new.  I would be willing to help with the project but I really don't know what all it entailed.  Perhaps someone will reply who was a closer friend of Bob's to give us an update.

@Rich Melvin posted:

Bob Coniglio is a major reason why this forum is the success it is. During the forum’s formative years, Bob would author multiple posts every day, and they were all good posts.

Half of Bob's posts would be deleted today because they had zero to do with trains.  LOL!