Santa Train along Amnicola Highway
Officer Kyle Moses with family
Kim Wilkerson Moses with family
Children excitedly await Santa
Santa and kids
Kim Wilkerson Moses and family
Santa and his helpers
Austin Garrett with Santa
The Forgotten Child Funds Santa train made its way around Chattanooga on Tuesday night delivering everything from basketballs to bikes.
The Santa train,with hundreds of police, emergency workers and volunteers, left Chattanooga State on Amnicola Highway at 5:30. This was the grand finale for those who have dedicated hours holding fundraisers and packing boxes. President Kelly Simmons said the Forgotten Child Fund provided nearly 14,000 children with a Christmas.
He said over 3,000 coats were handed out. Mr. Simmons, a veteran Chattanooga firefighter, said the goal is that no child will be forgotten on Christmas. He said he wanted to thank the hundreds of emergency workers all over the area who have participated.
The late Officer Johnny Wright started the fund in 1962. Mr. Wright said with the help of Channel 3 and News-Free Press photographer George Moody, the Santa Train was formed the next year. Mr. Wright said Roy Morris told him, "You start something and we'll back you."
This was retired Hamilton County Sheriff Lieutenant Robert Starnes' 34th year to put on the Santa suit. He said it is very rewarding to see the smiles on the children's faces when he carries his big bag into their homes.
Lt. Starnes said he has left a lot of the children wiping back tears. He said they were "tears of joy." He said for a lot of kids he's the only Santa they'll ever see.
Lt. Starnes said one of his favorite Christmas songs is "Thank God for Kids." He said that is just how he feels. Lt. Starnes said he gets a lot of help from his wife who plays the Elf. Lt. Starnes' father was with the Tennessee Highway patrol and helped the fund in the early years.
Hamilton County Chief Deputy Austin Garrett serves as information officer. Chief Garrett said he became interested in the Forgotten Child Fund while working at the Chattanooga Police Department. Chief Garrett said he and his wife have made this a Christmas tradition. The chief said, "We just do what needs to be done. It's all volunteer."
This was a special night for Ken and Kim Wilkerson Moses and their son, Officer Kyle Moses. Kim's mom and Kyle's grandmother, the late School Patrol Chief Jeanette Wilkerson, was one of the charter FCF board members.
Being a public servant has stayed in the family. Ken Moses is a retired captain with the Chattanooga Fire Department. Kyle has been with the Chattanooga Police Department for many years. Kim's father, Paul, was active in the Hamilton County Rescue Squad .
The Forgotten Child Fund operates out of a large warehouse on E. Main Street. Chief Garrett said there is very little overhead.
The fund selected 10 of its neediest families for a visit from Santa Claus and his jolly elves. Santa is followed by hundreds of volunteers enjoying the evening and singing Christmas Carols. As the train ended last night Santa was overheard telling a big thank you to everyone who had helped out.
He wished them a Merry Christmas and headed back to the North Pole.
My daughter Amy wrote in a 1995 article for the Chattanooga News Free Press, "Christmas is not the same until you have seen the gleam in the Children's eyes as they exclaim, 'Mom, there really is a Santa Claus.' "
(Pictures by Shelia Harding Cannon, Austin Garrett and the Moses family)