I should note that we may sqeek out a 6th set before it is all over and that we are about where we were last year at 5 to 6 purchased sets. This has been a project of a select number of members of the forum not of the entire forum.

Bob C.

Hey Bob, I will pledge another $25 for the kids! I will send it out friday(payday). I cannot believe the low turn out for this, it's sad that all these's forumites have been blessed by being well off engough to spend extra money on trains, but not share with the kids!
Just think if all gave $10, that would be great!

And to those who gave $300, I say WOW!!!!! THANK YOU

Yes Justin, that would be great, but things go as they go. Thanks for the extra donation.

I should also note that there are always a few members who kick in in the multi hundreds and they along with Tony Lash have in the past really helped carry things.

But, you know we will do some good presentations of a very good set and will make some kids happy.

And as you know, I had mentioned in my original post that we would probably do 5 sets so I am not surprised nor discouraged by the lack of participation.

Bob C.

I just wanted to thank everyone involved with the Trains For Kids Project!

Having been an ambassador family last year, I can personally attest to the significance this kind and simple gesture had for many children.

I would also like to thank the forum members involved for the gift they gave my own family. My husband, boys and I often talk about the significance of the presentation we made last year.

Many outsiders to this hobby simply do not realize the true magic of trains.
Thank you again for your support of Trains For Kids!

The BuddyRock Family

quote:

Originally posted by 2318JUSTIN:
Hey Bob, I will pledge another $25 for the kids! I will send it out friday(payday). I cannot believe the low turn out for this, it's sad that all these's forumites have been blessed by being well off engough to spend extra money on trains, but not share with the kids!
Just think if all gave $10, that would be great!

And to those who gave $300, I say WOW!!!!! THANK YOU

I think it is a great thing that those that are participating in this undertaking are doing. Having said that, I would not be too hard on those that don't, as you do not know their circumstances or what charitable giving they are already doing during these tough times.

DONATIONS RECEIVED TODAY --- 9/2/09 ---- $50.00

TOTAL DONATED TO DATE ------ $1545.00


We are over the number for 5 sets at this time.

DONOR:

Thomas Hollstein

The next thing is to try to squeek out a 6th set. Getting more than the 5 sets is going to be like pulling teeth;mighty slow going, but we will persist.

Bob C.

Maybe as the holidays get closer, people will feel more in the holiday spirit.

bazonkers:

You might be right. Right now, the end day for donations is Oct 1, but maybe we will consider extending that date to Nov 1. We'll see.

Bob C.

Brian, I agree with what you said to a point.

I think it is a great thing that those that are participating in this undertaking are doing. Having said that, I would not be too hard on those that don't, as you do not know their circumstances or what charitable giving they are already doing during these tough times.

I'm not trying to pick on anybody, not in these trying times, but I've read threads on here almost everyday about people buying train stuff! How many people are on this forum? 100people?, 200people? I do not know the answer but 19-20 people or .3 % donating the $1500 for the kids when we could have 80-90% donating!
I personally do not know Mr.Coniglio, but I have been involed with projects like this one before with the Cubscouts and he's doing a bang up job and all he wants is too double last years efforts. He has set a goal and it's not an outragoues goal by any means. So I will support him 110% because I believe in his goal and any thing that encourage's kids to get involved with trains and our hobby has to be a good thing! Right? All I was asking or better yet CHALLENGING others to do is make a $10 donation.
Thats right I said CHALLENGE!
Put aside a buying that train item this month and donate whatever you can!

This is the greatest country on Earth and we are in the Greatest Hobby on earth and we should invest in the future of it!

So let's do this and do it right!

Thats my 2 cents worth!!!

Well boys you both have valid points, but I definitely don't want to start a debate on this topic if we can at all help it. There is a reason for the low participation but I simply don't know what it is. Again, I point out that the past projects received small participation as well so there's nothing new here at all. Alot of smaller donations would do the trick alright but we will do with what we have and get.

Bob C.

Hi Bob,

I will mail out my check tomorrow or if it is possible can i drop it off at Nassau Hobby Center? I will be there on Saturday doing some shopping.

As do you still need any ambassadors. If so I would like to volunteer.

Mario

Thank you Mario. I will put you down as a FLIGHT B ambassador, and you certainly can drop off your donation at the Nassau Hobby Center. Just be sure to see that it gets to Charlie and that they know it is a Trains for Kids donation.

Thanks again my friend.

YOU NEED TO CONTACT ME AT robertconiglio@live.com TO GIVE ME FULL NAME ADDRESS EMAIL AND PHONE NUMBER. I WILL AWAIT YOUR CONTACT

Bob C.

NO DONATIONS FOR 9/3 or 9/4


TOTAL TO DATE: --- $1545.00

Charlienasau is now in the process of sending the gift sets out to the five FLIGHT A ambassadors.

AMBASSADORS: PLEASE NOTIFY ME WHEN YOU RECEIVE YOUR SETS

Bob C.

DONATION RECEIVED TODAY --- 9/5/09 ---- $40.00

DONOR:

Joseph Brennan


TOTAL TO DATE ---- $1585.00

Bob C.- I sent a $25 donation out in the mail today.

Thank you very much Cando. It is appreciated.

Bob - have you considered setting up a Paypal account to accept donations? I know you'd end up losing a small percentage to fees, but the convenience of being able to click and send a donation might be attractive to some folks here.

Let's make sure we keep this program low pressure on people, especially in this economy. Some might see someone's post as a challenge, others might see it as someone trying to guilt them into donating. If people turn this into a high-pressure sales thing trying to get more money, it's going to be a huge turnoff.

I think Robert is doing a good job. He's setting it up so people can give if they want. If they don't want to or can't, it's no big deal. That's the right attitude.

Yes bazonkers. As in the past, we have no high pressure here. We would like to see many, many more donations but will get along well with what we are given.

And a thanks to all who have donated.

Bob C.

DENNIS BRACEY is a new ambassador volunteer and we now have 9 ambassadors on the list. We need another volunteer.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: robertconiglio,

marioC

I need your full address and phone number for the ambassador list. email the info to me at:robertconiglio@live.com

thanks,
Bob C.

Robert,

I have listed my contact info. in an email to you.

Please list me as an ambassador for this great program, available as needed in SE NC.

Thanks!

Thank you Chip.

We now have 10 ambassador volunteers and one back up volunteer.

DONATIONS RECEIVED TODAY --- 9/8/09 ------ $25.00

DONOR:

Keith Rufin

TOTAL TO DATE: $1610.00

Charlie has shipped out all five sets and expansion packs to the FLIGHT A ambassadors.

I should have sent something out sooner. I'm putting a check for $25 in the mail right now. Joe

Thanks very much Joe. It is appreciated.

TO ALL FLIGHT A AMBASSADORS:

PLEASE EMAIL ME AT ROBERTCONIGLIO@LIVE.COM WHEN YOU RECEIVE YOUR SETS

DONATIONS RECEIVED TODAY -- 9/10/09 --- $100.00


DONOR:

Mario Ciliotta


TOTAL DONATIONS TO DATE: ----- $1710.00

This message has been edited. Last edited by: robertconiglio,

Will send check tomorrow, sorry I just noticed this thread! Spend most of my time on DCS forum.

This is a great thing you are doing!

Set inspection and play report.
I received the NYC Flyer and expansion pack from Charlie today.
I opened the set and set up the track on the dining room table. I unpacked the engine and all the cars. When I unpacked the tender I noticed that the rear roller was loose. After comparing it to the other roller assembly I pushed the roller assembly back in the square mounting. It seemed secure; however when I put the set on the track the tender shorted. I reinserted and tried again, this time I was able to run the train. I tested the coal dump car, the train sounds, smoke output, whistle, bell, direction control and lights on the engine & caboose. i then unpacked the expansion pack and put those cars on the track. I used the expansion pack unloader track and button to test the log dump car. I thought that I had another problem when I noticed that the tender backup light didn't work; but upon checking the features determined that it's not equipped. This set is ready to go except for that unreliable roller assembly. If it was mine, I'd hit it with a drop of ACC; but it's your call Bob C. Should I attempt a repair; or take it out to Nassau Hobby?

quote:

Originally posted by robertconiglio:
Basically you can look up the NYC flyer set and expansion pack in the Lionel catalog and then make a set up with simliar features. Included would be:
Locomotive and tender ( whistle , smoke , sound system, headlight )
A few cars ( five ) and a caboose
An operating car and an operating searchlight car
A transformer
Track ( straight and curved )
An uncouple track
Thanks,
Bob C.

Bob C. Just a clarification. The NYC Flyer set and expansion pack as shipped contained two (2) operating cars, a coal dump and a log dump. there are also two unloader tracks with buttons. The set does not include a searchlight car.

PENNSYFAN:

I would attempt to fix the problem you note on your own. If that doesn't work then we can go back to Charlie. Let us know what happens with this issue.

quote:

Originally posted by robertconiglio:
PENNSYFAN:

I would attempt to fix the problem you note on your own. If that doesn't work then we can go back to Charlie. Let us know what happens with this issue.

Repair is complete; we are on track and on time!

DONATIONS RECEIVED TODAY ----- 9/12/09 ----- $125.00

DONORS:

William S Dimena
D.L. Bracy

TOTAL DONATED TO DATE ------ $1835.00

Way to go guys!! Six sets down, four to go!!!


Note: "Donations To Date" column is now green. The columns to the left are indications of our achievements and the ones to the right are our challenge.

Looks like we are a go for set number six. Let's see if we can squeeze out a couple more before it's over.

Bob C.

The METCA Division TCA is conducting a sale of their 2009 Lionel Mint car to benefit the TFK program. Net proceeds of this sale will be forwarded to Nassau Hobby FBO TFK.

Set arrived yesterday, wife was not happy.. forgot to warn her.

Calling Childrens Hospital later today to coordinate, plan is to let the nurses pick someone.

Will send a check on or after 10/1/2009.

Nice job METCA!

Bob, How do most people determine what child is going to receive this wonderful present? The Childrens Hospital mentioned by John seems like a good idea.

BTW - my set has been inspected and the engine checked for operation. All systems go.

Paul

Railrunnin:

The method for choosing varies with the ambassadors whose job it is to pick a recipient. Some go to institutions and some choose kids they are personally aware of. There is no set rule on how to choose. When a choice is made, the ambassador will post that choice for cursory review by the donating members.

Bob C.

I think that METCA is doing avery nice thing for us and we thank them.

Bob C.

TO ALL AMBASSADORS:

PLEASE REMEMBER TO POST THE RECIPIENT OF YOUR CHOICE BEFORE GOING FURTHER.

Thank you,
Bob C.

Ambassador Chip Jackson has found and promised a set to a very severly handicapped young child who cannot operate a conventional set. In this special case we are asking that Charlie send out a lionel TrainMater command set to go with the presentation set. Chip is donating a tmcc locomotive and says that the Flyer loco will be used by the boy's brother.

Bob C.

Hi Bob. I have tested the engine in my set and the transformer and both are fine. I will start looking for a recipient.

Chris.

Sounds good. Full speed ahead!

DONATIONS RECEIVED THIS WEEK ---- $125.00

DONORS:

D.J.Lykens

Joe Paonessa

TOTAL DONATIONS TO DATE: ------ $1960.00

DONATION RECEIVED TODAY ----- $25.00

DONOR:

Russell Pearson

TOTAL DONATED TO DATE ----- $1985.00

We will likely make a seventh set. NOTE: we do have to take out some money to buy the Trainmaster command set for Chip Jackson's recipient.


Bob C.